Burn Baby Burn!
The highlight of the Burning Man festival is indeed the burning of the man, and it's typical, if not ritualistic, to witness searing flames engulf the night's sky at the end of the festival week on a Saturday. The night may be cold and dark, but you'll have a certain source of light and heat to keep you warm.
But even more than just a routine burn of the man, the temple where burners offload all their baggage of pain, sadness, or heartbreak is also burned along with the flames. It is believed to be as therapeutic as going for actual therapy, in some cases.
Adding Color to The Desert
Pink is almost always considered a girl's color, but we know that anyone can look great in it if they know how to pull it off. It's hard to tell if these ladies came to the festival together or if they just happened to meet after arriving separately.
But if you happen to come across someone wearing a costume similar to yours, it's safe to assume you've found a friend for life, or in the case of these two, perhaps a long-lost sister. These girls surely rocked this color pretty well with their costumes for the Burning Man festival in 2016.
A Desert Mantis
At the Burning Man festival, creativity is the only theme. Some go all out in pulling off a costume that would blow everyone away, and an example is this praying mantis outfit we have here. We're not sure how this person can see or breathe properly while still wearing the costume, but it would appear that art comes before oxygen.
There's a huge difference in the temperature of the Burning Man location during the day and at night. This costume must have been worn at night because it won't work as a daytime costume, mostly because of the heat.
Rotating Stairway to Paradise
There are so many fun things to do at this festival, and the only way to have the most fun is to ensure you participate. How can anyone see this beautiful piece of art and choose to stay on the sidelines? We would definitely be trying this out if we find ourselves at this festival.
No one seems to be afraid of falling off this setup, even though it looks a little bit risky. And we doubt the festival provides any type of injury insurance for participants. However, staying safe doesn’t mean you should miss out on the fun.
Worlds Highest Heels — Or Worst Highest Heels?
Art lovers must feel like they're in heaven at the Burning Man festival, considering all the amazing things they get to do and see. This particular picture was captured flawlessly, and it makes you think that the man is wearing a uniquely designed set of giant heels.
We're not sure if that's what the creator of this masterpiece had in mind, but that's the beauty of art: it can be many things to many people based on their interpretation. You may also see other pictures of festival-goers using this framework as wings, but they all look amazing.
The Accommodating Jellyfish
In 2017, a big jellyfish structure housed many of the Burning Man attendees—a thoughtful inclusion in the festival's display, which provided a much-needed respite from the burning sun of the Black Rock desert. There are almost no shades in the open space where this festival takes place, so, imagine how convenient finding something like this must have been.
The creator of this 40-foot tall and 30-foot wide structure was the artist Peter Hazel, and his work took up space at the Center Camp Cafe, a spot usually reserved for returning artists that have previously impressed the Burning Man Organization.
Let The Light in
There's a peace that this picture brings to the spectator, and it can make one feel like they are one with nature. This 45-foot sculpture overlooks the Burning Man festival grounds, and it stands as a bare woman displaying nothing but total serenity and surrender to the amazing feel of nature.
The artist aimed to use this masterpiece to compel viewers to see past the objectification of a woman's body and put an end to violence against them. The sculpture was left even after the burning of the man to face the White House until March 2018.
May I Have This Dance?
Perhaps there's no better symbol of love and acceptance than that of these two giant bees dancing together in what seems like a warm embrace. It was considered among the best artworks on display at the Burning Man festival in 2019, and the concept was born from the idea of forager bees that danced as a way of communicating with each other.
For many, art pieces like this are the highlight of their Burning Man experience, and they must have been thrilled to see that the artists, Andrea Greenlees and Andy Tibbetts, also included ballet shoes to spice up their masterpiece.
Flaming Buddha
You should be prepared to see all sorts of things at the artistic Burning Man festival, including mutant vehicles. Although vehicles are not allowed into Black Rock City, if you happen to be driving a mutant one, then it is very much welcomed.
Mutant vehicles are an artistic display by themselves, but if you think they're amazing during the day, wait till you see them at night. Their appearance becomes much more magical like this one we can see, known as El Pulpo, which appears to be a mutant octopus with tentacles that sprout fire. This machine has made several appearances on the Playa.
Light up The Way
In line with "I, Robot," the theme of the festival, these unique art pieces were on display at the Burning Man festival in 2018. Some may say the smiles on the faces of these small shiny creatures look a bit creepy, but these shiny sculptures are just as happy as anyone who gets to attend this festival.
The colors on them were intended to provide some kind of light so that the burners don't get lost in the evenings. It may be hard to get lost at night with the huge fires that will be ablaze, though, as could easily navigate with the help of the fires.
A Taste of The Safari
If you can't go to Africa or The Safari, it can definitely come to you as it did for these Burners in 2019 who got to see this amazing display of a giant metal elephant. The festival is attended by people from various walks of life, including some that may resonate more with this sculpture than others.
It is possible to get this close to a real-life elephant, since the creatures are not known to be hostile towards humans. However, this may be the only chance you'll get to stand beside a mutant or metamorphosed elephant and get photographed without any fear whatsoever.
Near-Zero Visibility
The Burning Man experience can appear surreal — like something one would only imagine or see in the movies — but it's not just a fantasy, it's a reality for those who attend the event. It can be an intense experience, both physically and mentally speaking.
Being in a desert, you would naturally expect to be exposed highly to sunlight and dust, at least during the day, that's why it's a no-brainer to bring sunscreen to stay safe. The dust is handled as best as it can be by water tankers that spray the grounds so that everyone isn't caught up in a blinding haze.
Giddy Up
Machinations are very common at the Burning Man festival, and here we have a beautifully constructed mechanical horse. Not the type you should dream of riding, of course, even though it has moving parts in the front legs, neck, mane, tails, and ears.
This rearing horse sculpture made its first Burning Man appearance in 2018 and stunned everyone with its kinetic design. Its moving parts are controlled using cranks on its perimeter fence, and most of its parts are repurposed junk. We could learn a thing or two about sustainability from the creator of this beauty, Barry Crawford.
Lost in Art
Amidst the dust of the Black Rock desert, you can always find consolation in art while moving through the otherwise empty land. You may not be physically lost, but your mind could very well be in a trance due to the surreal nature of the experiences.
This picture makes us wonder if this is a real space or an imaginary one, and we can only imagine that the 2015 burners were certainly not fully prepared for the wonders they witnessed. Here, we have the Totem of Confessions, a chapel in the middle of the desert made of plaster, wood, and paper by Garlington and Bertotti.
The Bearded Man
We bet that like us, you also assumed at first glance that this bearded sculpture was a real-life person until you noticed that there were people underneath. For those of us who observe this event in pictures, it's still hard to be sure what's real and what is not. So we imagine how it must be for the burners who get to witness everything in person.
The 2018 festival, which was themed "I, Robot" seemed to spark up imagination within the artists and was full of amazing artwork like this. Apparently, everyone went all out to honor the co-founder of the festival, Larry Harvey, who passed away in April 2018.
A Warm Embrace
Every piece of art has a root inspiration, and for the Pier Group artists, it was a desire to evoke the feeling of love. Love for those who were missed, as well as for those who were still present, is beautifully depicted in their 72-foot seven-story sculpture called "Embrace".
It's almost sad that this beautiful piece — that took ten months to construct — was so easily burned down at the festival in 2014, that, too, in less than four minutes. However, it had already served its purpose by then. The daring art piece wasn't originally thought possible, but with the help of engineers and structural designers from the University of Nevada, "Embrace" was brought to life.
A Blooming Tower
Every year, part of the thrill of the Burning Man festival is the anticipation of the incredibly outlandish artwork that will be present on the Playa. With artists constantly teeming with inspiration and creativity, there's always something new to look forward to.
This setup we have here is the burning man flower tower, a name whose concept you may not understand from a distance. But if you get closer, you'll see this sculpture covered in flowers. Moreover, the fire sprouting from the top also seems to depict a blossoming flower from this view (you'll have to really work your imagination for this one!).
Bear with Us
For a lot of people, the Burning Man festival is a ritual that they observe every year, and one of the regular attendees is this big mama bear and her cubs. Traditionally, vehicles aren't allowed into the Black Rock desert unless they are mutant ones, but would we classify this bear transport system as regular or mutant?
Whatever the case may be, since they found their way into the Playa, they must have met the requirements to be there. And to be fair, the teddy bear family is pulled around by a bicycle and they're a charming sight to see.
Alive at Night
The festival has a knack for providing burners with an otherworldly type of experience, and surely, scenes like this can have psychedelic effects — in addition to the many psychoactive drugs that make their way into the desert, despite efforts to curb the practice.
A particular eye-catching display worthy of note here is the glowing woman, "Truth is Beauty" whose pose appears to be something you'll see in ballet dance. This work by Marco Cochrane is an 80-foot sculpture whose real beauty comes alive at night when its several tiny led lights come on.
Futuristic
It's hard not to be drawn in by the aesthetic feel of the festival because it's truly a breathtaking experience. The festival grounds have their own economic system which is trade by barter, a certain lingo, and different names that many burners become known by for the duration of the festival.
In this picture, we see that some burners have formed a smaller community within the larger one, and camped in a structure that looks like a small party block in a futuristic movie. Reality would surely seem strange after spending a week experiencing fascinating things like this.
Detaching from The Ground
It's easy to feel disconnected from the world you once knew before this vast desert because, for miles, there's nothing but sand. This aerial image shows a perfect picture of what Black Rock City has to offer, and without the artwork and people that add all the beauty, it's nothing more than a combination of dust and sand.
A seasoned burner took this picture from his plane and the highlight of this image is Arthur Mamou-Mani's Temple Galaxia. This temple was featured at the 2018 festival, but we have to admit that it's not as beautiful now as it was when it was set on fire.
All Work And No Play
One of the rules on the Playa is that no form of advertising or commercial sponsorship is allowed. But it has not deterred some companies from going incognito to experience the Burning Man through their agents who hardly stand out from the rest of the burners.
One of such companies is Victoria's Secret, which sends in models with classy outfits on secret work missions to display and promote their brand. Of course, considering that they do not stand out so much, it doesn't disrupt the festival in any way, and whatever connections are made are usually organic.
Clarity
Dust may prove to be a disturbing pollutant in the desert, but light hardly is. And you can experience the beauty of the clear skies in ways that would be impossible in the bustling cities of America. Since 2014, there has been an observatory in Black Rock City where burners can go to have a clear view of the stars.
Also, before the dust settles, all the different structures laying in the desert seem like little worlds of their own, each looking isolated and telling a completely different story. But when everything clears up, you see that together they are all part of a bigger picture.
A Worship Session
While there's usually an inspiration or story behind most artworks at the festival, this particular display explains itself through its art. Known as the Crude Awakening, a nearly 100-foot wooden oil derrick was constructed to unleash a fire fueled by 900 gallons of jet fuel, in addition to about 2,000 liquid propane gallons.
Most of the burners felt that it was a large-scale waste of crude oil resources, not to mention that it was also one of the most expensive works to date. The art also included sculptures that appeared to be worshiping the column of flame produced, taking a jab at the human dependency on fossil fuels that harm the environment.
Ready for Launch
With artists working hard to constantly create more extraordinary work every year, some of the art pieces you find at the Burning Man end fit for monuments, and you'll find yourself wishing they were never taken down. However, we have to admit that the idea of meeting completely new structures each year is a huge part of the thrill.
This particular structure here is a two-in-one masterpiece that contains an observation deck inside what seems to be a glowing rocket ship. The observation deck also features a little opening that provides access to the middle and top of the rocket, and we imagine that the view there is impressive.
The Awakening
Here we have a closer view of the sculptures that made up the Crude Awakening, which burnt several gallons of fossil fuels. Many of the burners were unhappy with the outcome of this artwork, so the organizers decided to do something to pacify them.
In the same year of the Crude Awakening, the organizers built arrays that contained solar panels with a capacity of 50 watts. The permanent structure has since been responsible for providing power at the Burning Man festival while offsetting tons of carbon emissions every year. In a desert characterized by the scorching sun, solar power is the most sensible thing to explore.
An Enchanting Ballet
This was such a beautiful sight to see at the Burning Man festival and it's not just because of the 24-foot ballerina made of wood. Nature provided a beautiful context to this art with the unexpected sunset background, as this sculpture seemed to sway on the sand.
This amazing sculpture was just one of the many enchanting sights at the 2017 Burning Man festival. Perhaps the worst thing that could happen to a burner would be to have arrived without a camera to capture all the wonderful things that were on display. This surely makes its way to the list of most memorable projects on the Playa.
A Wonder Woman
Many artists like to explore the female body in their art pieces for several reasons, ranging from a desire to portray it as the source of all life to hoping its form sends a message about gender discrimination and other social justice causes. Whatever the case may be, they do well to inspire everyone with captivating and surreal works.
This plexiglass woman on display is a 50-foot-tall experiment that embodies a beautiful blend of glowing light and hidden shadows. The sunset is undoubtedly a fitting and illustrious addition to this view.
Calculated Fun
Sierpiński tetrahedron is the mathematical term that this structure is based on; it is a series of infinite equilateral triangles. But while the mathematics may be notable, the design is even more astonishing. Ordinarily, during the day, we may not have thought it to be so enchanting, but at night when the desert is flooded with artificial lights, its beauty is much more captivating.
With no real access to light other than the sun, artificial light is popular at the Burning Man festival for visibility at night. Artists take advantage of this to ensure the beauty of their exhibitions stands out.
Shark Attack
Have you ever imagined what it would be like to be inside of a shark? You may have heard the biblical story of a man that was swallowed by a whale and survived in its belly for three days. Well, some people may have gotten to relive a version of that story at the Burning Man festival in this metallic shark.
The inside of this shark sculpture can be explored, much like its exteriors. You may not be able to stay there for the same three days but it's best to make the most of your time because it would surely be consumed by fire when the festival is over.
A Mutant Octopus
By now you must be acquainted with this mutant vehicle just like regular burners, because it has also become a regular feature at the festival. If you've never imagined any kind of Sci-Fi fantasy, it should interest you to know that artists love this type of stuff. And can it ever be complete without fire? Certainly not.
We wonder what was going on in the mind of whoever came up with the design of this car. It's truly a creative masterpiece and it goes well with the concept of the Burning Man, even though it's really an octopus burning instead.
A Spiritual Feeling
There are so many structures that you will come across at the Burning Man festival that will blow your mind, and one of them is this temple. It is perhaps the most spiritual aspect of the festival, and burning it like this is pretty significant.
As a spiritual hub, the temple serves as a place where several people seek out spiritual cleansing, whether from loss or grief. It serves the purpose that any regular spiritual place could serve, and people even get married inside this temple. The structure takes on different forms every year, but at the end of the festival, it is burned all the same.
Vintage Angel
Many festival-goers like to include some bird feather material in their costumes, although, apart from the beauty it provides, it's hard to say whether there's a deeper reason behind such an ornament. The woman here looks like an angel from a medieval time, and the outfit of the man beside her seems to complement hers so well.
Some people put a lot of thought and effort into their costumes for the festival, planning months in advance for the annual experience that is the Burning Man. If only for this one beautifully-captured moment, every effort to add to the aesthetics of the festival goes a long way.
Calming Purple Display
While some of the artworks on display at the Burning Man are going to have you lost in them for a while, others are simple enough and meant for you to just enjoy the view. Here we have a piece that is simply adding beauty to the scene with the LED lights that adorn it and make it look like a blossoming plant.
The burners that have gathered underneath it must be enjoying the soothing peace it brings, and they appear pretty relaxed by the purple glow. It is not unknown that art can be very therapeutic, and this festival takes advantage of that.
Caught in A Web
You won't be able to predict the type of sculptures that you'll find at the Burning Man festival, so it's best to be prepared for anything. Although, even with preparation, it's hard to know how to react when you see a representation of your worst fears brought to life — just like this enormous black widow spider.
A lot of people are scared of arachnids like this in real life, even the ones that are way smaller. You can imagine that the burners with phobias for this would surely avoid coming near the sculpture, but it was made just because of them. Hopefully, the festival helps them overcome their fears.
Legos Invasion
Legos never grow old, just like the love people have for them irrespective of their age. Of course, a truck made of Legos would make it into the Playa. What else would be a better representation of the fact that the festival is really a huge playground for adults?
Many people get around the desert grounds with bicycles, but this is surely another interesting way to do so. Compared to other mutant vehicles you would come across, this seems pretty mild and less scary if you don't consider the Lego men at the top with Lego guns ready to take down any obstacle.
Can't Breathe
We have to admit that this is one of the most amazing costumes we've come across for various reasons. It's also pretty smart to come to the festival kitted up this way because the Playa is characterized majorly by sand and dust, definitely not the freshest of air to breathe in.
This image gives a nod to sustainability and the importance of plants in ensuring the quality of the air that we breathe. In this era of nose masks and viruses, maybe everyone should come kitted this way for the Burning Man festival.
A Flamy Display
It's truly an amazing sight at the Burning Man festival, especially when things culminate in the burning of the man. If you've never attended this event, you may not understand the true magnitude of the occasion but this picture surely tries to do it justice.
With almost 100,000 people in attendance, the festival grounds become like an entire state with its own people and its own laws. The accommodations available can house up to 70,000 people, and it is almost impossible to meet everyone who attends. However, even without meeting each one of the attendees, the energy of their presence will always be felt.
All That Glitters
The beauty of the Burning Man festival is not only in the artistic display of the sculptures and creations, but also in the aesthetics of the people who attend. Like most festivals, face paints and makeup can be found in abundance on many participants, regardless of gender, and in festivals like the Burning Man, you can expect them to kick it up a notch with more unconventional displays.
Nonetheless, considering the heat that the desert brings, some choose to remain conservative with their facial aesthetics. And these two burners prove that being conservative doesn't equate to being boring.
Apocalyptic Photography
The entire concept of the Burning Man festival has made its way into the media, with different shows now referencing it in one way or the other. As a pop culture experience, it has expectedly gained such widespread publicity in recent times, but you can never truly grasp the experience unless you participate.
While you may get references in movies and TV shows, being present on the Playa is much more intense because you will feel like you're actually in a movie. This picture captures a sort of apocalyptic occurrence that won't naturally be seen, but the festival attendees are living proof that it is real.
Group Fun
Surely, planning for the Burning Man festival is an exciting thing to do, whether you're going as an individual or as a group. We have to admit, however, that planning to go with someone is much more fun than packing up a bag by yourself. These girls must have had fun picking out their matching and contrasting outfits.
Going as a group can be great with a theme, and the festival helps with deciding what that would be since there is a theme for it every year. Sometimes, by the nature of outfits worn by the burners, you can guess the theme of the event.
Crowns Fit for Royalty
Headgears are incredibly popular at the Burning Man, and they come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and designs. The feathery concept is arguably the most popular, and you're most likely to come across someone rocking something flamboyant without looking too far.
But why are headgears so popular? Apart from being an interesting addition to one's outfit at the festival, they also help to provide a bit of shade from the scorching sun of the Black Rock desert. So, if you're going to wear one for any reason, it's important to make sure you keep things stylish and in theme.
Accessorizing Is A Norm
Accessorizing is a very common thing at the Burning Man festival, and many people love to do so with jewelry. In fact, they are one of the most traded items on the Playa and we can understand why. It does a good job of adding to the aesthetic of the festival and it looks incredibly good if you can style and carry it like this woman.
Judging from her outfit and headgear, she looks like a warrior queen, and the glitter she has on her face adds beautifully to the look. We're not sure if the concept of not leaving a trace at the festival grounds also applies to glitter.
A Nod To Pop Culture
One of the sculptures at the festival was this giant radio with neon lights, and the Burning Man couldn't have asked for a better pop culture reference than this. It's still hard to imagine that the festival started with just one man who built a sculpture 9 feet tall, only to burn it to the ground.
Now the festival has grown exponentially in magnitude, with sculptures also reaching new heights in feet. You won't find anything like this anywhere else in the world except at the Burning Man. The spirit of the festival is one of a kind and cannot be properly experienced unless you're physically present on the Playa.
Only A Few Rules
Every year, burners are amazed by the art they find at the Burning Man, and 2015 was no different. Known as the "Brainchild", this sculpture was one of the wildest arts available at the festival that year. The people climbing the sculpture are proof that the Black Rock desert is a place of freedom.
No one is out to bore you with so many rules of what you can and cannot do. Some of the only tenets of the festival — that are important to enforce — include leaving no trace after the festival is over because of the environment. However, it hasn't always been strictly followed.