It was a gathering that became an event. A community that started a tradition. In a 2018 WaPo interview, New Yorker Jim Glaser shared his thoughts. He describes it as “kaleidoscopic magic,” saying, “it is just huge! There are lasers, there are art cars, and there are flames shooting out of everything. And people do all of this for basically no money.” “It is one of the most barren places in the country, and it blossoms with more creativity, life, and love than anything ever in the history of mankind,” Glaser explained.
It attracts the eccentric, the experimental, the curious, and the strange. It’s a barter and trade community where nothing is for sale. It’s about giving and receiving and self-reliance. People pilgrimage to the Black Rock Desert, a remote area two-and-a-half hours north of Reno, to live free in an open and radically inclusive community for nine blissful days.
As if It's Alive
There are a lot of metal art pieces at Burning Man, and for good reason – the intense heat, dry sand, and harsh winds would wreak havoc on a lot of other materials. This piece, however, is made entirely out of ¾ inch plywood sheets, cut and layered in such a way that it looks just like the real thing.
Or as much like the real thing as a huge woman coming out of a half-built egg could look. This piece would be noteworthy anywhere, but it is especially interesting in Black Rock City, where the harsh elements are often, let's say, unforgiving.
Heading for the Sky
Despite how outrageously creepy it is, Falcor from “The Neverending Story” is a character that a lot of people have fond memories of. A lot of those people are now old enough to be doing things like attending Burning Man.
So of course, this animatronic puppet will end up making an appearance at a place that is supposed to be as far from reality as possible while still being on this planet. Just look at that thing. The teeth are kind of creepy. If you didn't watch this movie as a kid, you'll probably have no reason to get anywhere near this thing.
A Celebration of Life
Burning Man is all about enjoying life and celebrating our brief time here on Earth. Naturally, this type of celebration calls for late nights full of music, dancing, and a rollicking good time. What better way to celebrate and dance the night away than with a larger-than-life boom box art installation? We couldn’t think of anything more fitting.
“Rockbox” was created by Bay Area artist and Burner Derek Wunder. He was inspired to create this portable art installation after observing weather-worn cars with blown-out speakers driving around the desert during his 2004 visit to Burning Man. He modeled his portable party machine after 80s boomboxes and his love of old-school hip hop. This art piece definitely brings the party wherever it goes.
Burning Man's Humble Origins
Today, we know Burning Man as an event that draws tens of thousands of people out to the remote Black Rock Desert every year. However, Burning Man had much more humble beginnings before it became synonymous with the Nevada desert. The first few Burning Man events were held at San Francisco’s Baker Beach before authorities caught on and banned the community in 1990.
The ban was mainly due to wildfire hazards, which is understandable considering that the event was centered around burning “The Man” statue. Founders Jerry James and Larry Harvey then moved Burning Man and their community to the Black Rock Desert in Nevada. Every year, Burning Man gathers in a semi-circular settlement that is so large that it can be seen from high above in the sky.