The 2023 theme of the annual Burning Man festival is the perfect way to describe its culture: “Animalia.”
Participants in this year’s quirky, artistic, outlandish, and wholly original festival in the Nevada desert are urged to bring along their “imaginary menageries,” described as spirit creatures that run the gamut of expression that encourages “courage and confidence.”
Prepare to be mesmerized by the awe-inspiring art installations, each one more captivating than the last. Among them, a powerful depiction of Atabey, the revered goddess of fresh water in Caribbean Taino folklore, transformed into a majestic fish that commands attention. Towering above, a magnificent horse flaunts its vibrant purple mane, exuding an air of majesty and wonder. And not to be outdone, a colossal pink rabbit captures hearts with its whimsy and charm.
In the midst of this artistic wonderland, John Kim from UCLA delves into the fascinating world of Burning Man. Here, extraordinary art is not the exception but the norm, igniting our senses and sparking a profound connection with the boundless depths of creativity and imagination.
The Burning Man Way
What began as a small event in San Francisco in 1986 has become a cultural phenomenon that takes over the stark Black Rock Desert of Nevada for nine days every August.
It’s an experience unlike any other. Tens of thousands of so-called “burners,” will flock to this year’s festival that’s billed as a celebration and embrace of communal art and self-expression. For many burners, this isn’t just an event but a dedicated way of life.
Organizers like to describe Burning Man as encouraging delightful mayhem. Elements are shared with other outdoor summer festivals, including live music. But what sets Burning Man apart is how the sense of community is a central tenant.
The Burning Man Project nonprofit organization, which runs the festival, says its intention year after year is to foster community participation to nurture the power of creativity. It’s not just a nine-day event, they say, but designed to be. A permanent community.
Beyond the Fire
Burning Man gets its name from its annual centerpiece — burning a giant effigy of a man. It’s a festival capper that exemplifies Burning Man’s goal of creating a sustainable community that can generate fantastic art and enlightenment throughout a 4,000-acre space but can also completely disappear.
Living the moment. Trading for goods instead of using cash. Eschewing material possessions. Those are all part of the festival experience for the 80,000 people who attend annually.
The communal aspect of the festival is so strong that in 2004 co-founder Larry Harvey outlined 10 Burning Man principles. The culture is clear in these principles, including simple social environments, gifting, noncommercial values, radical inclusion, and overcoming barriers in favor of immediacy.
The Burning Man Life
Burning Man may be built for epic self-expression, but it isn’t quite the “hippie” or drug-addled gathering that some believe it is.
People cook together, explore together, play sports together, and learn from each other. There are no big corporate sponsors or $10 bottles of water. There is bartering and everything runs on a so-called gift economy.
Many burners spend countless amounts of time and energy to create something to give to other Burners and contribute to the Burning Man community.
And there’s also a spiritual element. The burning of the giant effigy itself on the festival’s penultimate night is believed to symbolize that life is inherently temporary and constantly changing.
Then, on the final night, there is more burning. The temple that is built each year and open to any ceremonies held by attendees is burned on the final night. For many Burners, it’s a moment of healing and one that is highly personal. Many leave tributes to lost loved ones inside. Then, in just days everything is gone.
Then the desert — and the Burning Man culture — simply waits for the next year.