Belisama. Photo by Toby Keller.
From spiritual enlightenment to experimental collaboration to sheer mind-tripping revelry, numerous motivations drive Burners to make the yearly pilgrimage to Black Rock City, NV. But one core principle unites them all: radical self-expression.
This is especially manifest in the wonderfully strange and whimsical art installations that populate the playa.
(Those not familiar with the BM premise should check out The First-Timer’s Guide to Participating at Burning Man for an excellent overview.)
Although Burning Man was always predicated on art and participation, it wasn’t until 1995 that Larry Harvey began introducing yearly themes to give focus to the growing, and increasingly diverse community.
Since then, the scope of the art installations have only been limited by the creators’ imaginations (and budgets).
some of the more awe-inspiring and ambitious pieces on the playa in recent history
Uchronia, 2006. Photo by Splatworld.
Nick-named the Belgian Waffle, much to the irritation of the Belgian team that constructed it, Uchronia was nearly 200 feet long, 100 feet wide, and 50 feet tall, dominating the Black Rock City skyline.
Steampunk Tree House, 2007. Photo by Mayhem.
Pipes run throughout the metal tree and branches that release actual steam for a sauna-like effect, which was a solace against the cold Nevadan desert nights.
Temple of Hope, 2006. Photo by John Curley.
Since 2000, the Temples have been built and ceremoniously set aflame along with the Man, becoming an enduringly popular ritual at the festival. Mark Grieve’s interpretation in 2006, an elegant courtyard populated with massive stupas, took participants to an exotic land.
Big Rig Jig, 2007. Photo by Russ Atkinson.
Created from two oil rigs, the interior compartment of Big Rig Jig housed silk plant life as a contemplation of the indelible yet often-forgot ties between the industrial and organic world.
Serpent Mother, 2006. Photo by John Curley.
Ten tons and 168 feet long, this kinetic sculpture has an audience-controlled joy stick, which swivels the head and operates the 41 flamethrowers placed along the spine.
Homouroboros, 2007. Photo by affinity1.
A massive, interactive zoetrope, Homouroboros only comes to life when participants determine the source of power generation and the controls to its activation.
Big Round Cubatron, 2006. Photo by Sterling.
Created from over 6,000 color-dynamic lights arranged 8 feet high and 40 feet in diameter, Cubatron’s experience takes a decidedly psychedelic turn while under the influence of certain mind-expanding substances.
Temple of Forgiveness, 2007. Photo by Perfecto Insecto.
Encompassing almost 42,000 cubic feet, the open-air temple had four grand entrances that led to the central altar, which allowed energy to pass though, up, and out–a metaphor for the sense of lightness felt after the act of forgiveness and all negative emotions are finally released.
Crude Awakening, 2007. Photo by John Curley.
Stirring controversy for its ironic use of 900 gallons of jet fuel and 2,000 gallons of liquid propane to build the largest flame cannon in history, Crude Awakening transformed modern oil dependency into a violently primitive religion.
Hope Flower, 2005-2006. Photo by Smoobs.
Constructed from a 100 foot hydraulic man-lift, the Flower serenaded and interacted with participants and performance artists as it roamed around the playa.
Duel Nature, 2006. Photo by John Curley.
Meant to evoke the image of the DNA double helix, Kate Radenbush’s enormous 30-foot wide metal and red-mirror sculpture is a meditation on the nature of duality and the opposing forces within the very essence of the human condition.
I.T., 2006 Photo by msr.
Although reminiscent of the terrifying aliens of 50s sci-fi movies, I.T.’s creator only had benevolent intentions–the red spotlight eye merely tracks approaching visitors, unlike the vaporizing beams of the fictional space creatures, and an extension ladder allows participants to experience the sensation of being suspended 30 feet above the ground.
Temple of Stars, 2004. Photo by eddy13.
Nearly a quarter of a mile in length, this David Best sculpture consisted of a main 100 foot structure and a system of paths that connected to smaller temples along the cardinal points, not to mention bridges, fabricated gardens, and benches placed throughout for participants to reflect.
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48 Comments... join the discussion!
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These big rigs are used to haul oil, hence them being able to be called oil rigs….
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Several of these installations later ended up at Coachella Fest. Big Rig Jig and the Steampunk Tree House both arrived in April '08 and I.T. was there the year before. I have pictures of all three pieces from when I attended the festival. They really are amazing in person.
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The pictures are fantastic… Really great…
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amazing pieces of arts! the must-see art installations from burning man over the years.
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Robyn, I hope you read this. I was so taken aback by your list and profile. I felt like I was reading about a mirror me! Crazy. Anyway, I hope we could connect somewhere in the 'final frontier' and get more inspired. I have taught English in Asia, watch Star Trek, daydream about all the things I could do…'if I had a little money…' la la laa…. Please forgive my horrible English, and let the fun shine through!
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Wow…just…WOW.
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this is freaking awesome. loved it, loved it
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Saw I.T. at Maker Faire, was awesome
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thanks for the mention! from 1 of the Steampunk Treehouse crew
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Wanted to point out that the picture of Crude awakening does not do justice to the scale of it. At 100 feet tall, its the tallest thing Ive seen on the playa, Uchronia getting the gold for sheer mass. Thanks for the post!
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A better title might be "13 of the Coolest Art Installations in the last 3 years of Burning Man". Honestly this is a rather historically blind list considering the entirety of Burning Man's history, but I suspect this is based on the writers history of attending. Also worth mentioning and historically significant, Helco Tower, Temporal Decomposition, ICP, Draka, The Temple of Rudra, Flock, Plastic Chapel, Lily Pond, The Temple of Gravity, Cleavage In Space, Creature of the Deep, One Tree, The Angel of the Apocalypses, La Contessa, Neverwas Haul, etc. Inclusion of some of these might make a more honest best of list.
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Loved it!! Ill have to go sometime!
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I agree, this is missing a whole bunch of important stuff. Others of note include the Kaleidosphere, the Temple of Honour, The brothel chandelier, colossus, thermocracken. And perhaps the less artistic but dramatic Dr. Megavolt, the singularity machine (fire tornado) and others.
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I totally agree, it is a short list from the recent history of our Black Rock City. The ones you listed were as phenomenal
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Robyn, thank you. You've solidified my desire to get there for 2009. xxx
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awesome man!
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My step daughter's friend has been going to Burning Man for several years and this year my step daughter finally went. I thought it was one big party out in the middle of the dessert. Turns out it dozens of art installations. I love it and I haven't talked to my step daughter since she got back, but I know she loves a party and she loves art…so this is right up her alley!
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Michael Christian built IT. I noticed you didn't have his name in there. michaelchristian.com
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Since we are getting technical, those aren't oil rigs, they're drilling platforms and drilling rigs.
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Simplemente Grandioso!
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UPDATE! this years temple should be on here!! and you are so right about the cubitron, AND the new piece from the guy who did the strobe monkeys is epic as well! great page! thanks for the family photos, see you at home i hope!
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WAIT! you mention belgian waffle but no picture!? let me know if you need one, ive got a great one! (mooly247@aol.com)
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Its realy very cool piece of info
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questa arte suscita in me la voglia di cambiare vita e vivere su un albero…
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Actually, the land based things are neither rigs or drills, they are pumps ment to presurise the oil below.
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This Robyn Johnson girl posted a short description of herself with the picture and she sounds too good to be true. Baby, the longest distance I traveled to have a cup of coffee with a girl so far is 2400km and you seem to be living somewhere in America; I fear some lucky dude will beat me to you so allow me to sincerely wish you a wonderfull life, as wonderfull as the work you are doing.
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wow, impressive! thank's a lot for sharing the photos, Robyn!
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great ! i wish i could be there
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you're about 20 years of history short
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Impressive!Thanks!
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I had the opportunity to see the Serpent Mother in Amsterdam at Robodok 2007!!!!!
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I'm always surprirised to see what people think are the coolest art installations at Burning Man. I've been creating Portals there since 2004 and most people tell me they are their favorite by far, so if you're interested check out the website: ” target=”_blank”>http://www.transportals.org Too bad you didn't think to include them in your list, although you may have missed them because I locate them remotely to keep the riff raff away.
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Oddly, you take great care to credit all the people who took photos but don't do the same for the artists that actually made the pieces. That's pretty shoddy. Stick with the baking niche instead.
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Is that like "The Fonz" coolest? Or is it "Hella Coolest". Thirteen is definatly the coolest number known to man. Its good to know who won.
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I adore the art and artists at Burning Man.That is an impressive survey of 3 of the last 22 years in the "history of Burning Man". Great years in art, yes, but I noticed that in all of the 14 sculptures that you posted, you credited only 3 of those artist names!! Lazy journalism! You glorify the Art, yet you fail to give credit where credit is due. C+ for effort, but D- for research. You need to do some more homework. See you on the Playa….
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Here is the artist info that the author should have included! 1. The figure of Belisama was part of an arrangement called "Celtic Forest" by by Laura Kimpton, Bob Hoffman and Jeff Schomberg, Nicasio, CA 2008 2. Uchronia. Ninety artists from Belgium shipped 100 miles of wooden beams to the playa, and nail-gunned them into a free-form cavern 15 stories high. ” target=”_blank”>http://www.uchronians.org 2006 3. Solar powered Steampunk Treehouse by Sean Orlando and Crew 2007 4. TEmple of Hope by Mark Grieve and the Temple Crew 2006 5. Big Rig Jig by Mike Ross 2007 6. Serpent Mother by The Flaming Lotus Girls 2006 7. Homouroboros by Peter Hudson 2007 8. Big Round Cubatron by Mark Lottor 2006 9. Temple of Forgiveness by David Best and Tim Dawson 2007 10. Crude Awakening by Dan Das Mann, Karen Cusolito, Black Rock FX, Pyrokinetics, Nate Smith, Mark Perez and MonkeyBoy 2007 11. Hope Flower by Patrick Shearn, Abundant Sugar and the DoLab 2005-06 12. Duel Nature by Kate Raudenbush 2006 13. I.T. by Michael Christian 2006 14. Temple of Stars by David Best and the Temple Crew 2004
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yep. ditto. not a representative list of Bruning Man history by any stretch.
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why do I have this feeling that I'm missing something by not showing up for Burning Man? these are phenomenal pics! I feel my crude awakening calling..
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Thank you Robyn. The event is now firmly on my travel wish list!
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I am humbled to have experienced all of these. The daytime photo of Uchronia makes it seem small as opposed to the nighttime experience, which was distinctly like being in the Big Room at Carlsbad Caverns. And what a burn when that one went up! The art of BMan is just so amazing and what a great gift to we the citizens.
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thanks for filling in the blanks hedy. Robyn; although i am flattered to be included on your list, you MUST credit all artists and photographers for their work. you incorrectly credited affinity for the homouroboros photo. the actual photographer is tristan savatier ( http://www.playa -dust.com ). i have seen this list pop of on numerous sites without the proper credits. please rectify this
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thanks! awesome pose!
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*meant* and *pressurize*
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I want to go to Burning man! I keep saying that every year! I need to PLAN this and just go. ~Amanda
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SImultaneously awed by the human creativity and horrified by the carbon footprint and environmental impact. Some stunning immages.
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Simultaneously awed by the creativity and horrified by the carbon footprint/environmental impact. Stunning images.
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A great list but incomplete as noted by others. Saddened that “Mother and Child” was not included…..B.M. is first and foremost about people….I thought I had an imagination…then I went to The Burn…whew…some of your list should have been the the People as art…….see you in 09……
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