Burning Man 2016: Surreal, Otherworldly Photos
This year's Burning Man – a gathering of more than 70,000 people in Nevada's Black Rock Desert – had the theme of "Da Vinci's Workshop," as organizers asked participants to explore the similarities between 15th-century Florence and the 30-year-old festival in their giant, temporary city. And while the artists and enthusiasts may not have succeeded in starting their own Renaissance, they were able to create a beautiful and imaginative community, if only for a few days. Here, a look at some of the most impressive pieces and scenes from Burning Man 2016.
-
Awakening
The skull and hands, created by Ryan Elmendorf and Nick Geurts of Denver, Colorado, incorporated one of Da Vinci's favorite devices: the camera obscura. Participants could enter the skull, a darkened room, where lenses in the eyes projected what was happening in the outside world on the wall.
-
Tower of Ascension
Venice Beach, California artist Swig Miller built this tower as a place to look out over the temporary city while standing next to a pair of fire-breathing dragons.
-
The Space Whale
This 50-foot humpback whale, built of steel and stained glass, was created to explore the need for environmental balance and space travel. It's now on a six-country tour.
-
Distrikt
Distrikt, a week-long, EDM-fueled dance party, has become an annual tradition at Burning Man.
-
Good Witch, Wicked Witch
An essential part of the Burning Man experience is dressing as a post-apocalyptic desert colonist.
-
Medusa Madness
California artist Kevin Clark's installation was an impressive steel statue of Medusa's head of snakes that spit fire.
-
Making Music
Burning Man is a place for all different kinds of musicians to come together and collaborate.
-
Guardino Leone
Another piece from artist Kevin Clark, Guardiano Leone is the "guardian of man," protecting the participants of Burning Man 2016.
-
La Victrola
During the day, this 25-foot gramophone played 78s of turn-of-the-century music, while at night it transformed into an immersive cabaret.
-
The Lost Tea Party
This was the third Burning Man for this sculpture installation, created by artist Wreckage International.
-
Road Warriors
While traditional motor vehicles aren't allowed on the playa, self-built "art cars" are encouraged.
-
Lamplighters
A Burning Man tradition since 1993, the Lamplighters are volunteers who each place a dozen kerosene lamps, illuminating a path from the campground to the Man, the giant centerpiece set on fire at the end of the week.
-
Magic Art Installation
After the festival, this aluminum structure will be displayed at a sculpture garden in Miami dedicated to the art of Burning Man.
-
@Earth #Home
This sculpture was dubbed "@Earth #Home" by the artists because, as they roamed Earth, coming back to Burning Man was like coming home.
-
Global Rolling
This eight-foot globe was crafted to be a reminder of the world outside the desert, and was made to be heavy enough to withstand the wind.
-
Seeing Humanity For What It Really Is
These massive wooden gorillas were set to have wings inspired by Da Vinci's flying machine, but were impressive nonetheless without them.
-
The Temple Project
The Temple is a tradition in Black Rock City, a place to mourn and put situations to rest. This year, Burners paid tribute to David Bowie, Prince, Gene Wilder and other visionaries lost in 2016.
-
Temple in Flames
On the final night of Burning Man, the temple is burned.
-
The Burning Man
After a week in the desert, the participants watched the final event on Sunday night: the burning of the 43-foot man at the center of their temporary metropolis.
-
Clouds in the Desert
Smoke billows into the sky after the Man is burned.
-
Coming to a Close
After seven days in the desert, Black Rock City is dismantled and everyone goes back to their lives outside of Burning Man.