I thought I knew what Burning Man was. I had marked it as an art-filled desert extravaganza of a festival—like Folk Fest, but amped up. It was on my bucket list to attend and apply to be an artist there. So, when my aunt and uncle invited me to attend with them this year I was beyond thrilled. My attention over spring was caught up with work and my trip to England so I hadn’t spent too much time digging into the ins and outs of Black Rock City, but that has all changed now. At this point I am neck deep into my research and going deeper.
It is now abundantly clear to me that I did not know what Burning Man is. Whatever I thought Burning Man might be, it is much more.
It is a whole city. Like city. That emerges for a week. In the desert.
So, yes, it is an amped up festival, but it is that, and… and… and…
There are, of course, all the neighborhoods and the Playa and Plaza art installations—I have made it to “E” in the 2024 installation guide. There are mutant vehicles, performances, and volunteering opportunities. And there is a Temple! One of the guidelines is titled “Human remains at the Temple” and specifically asks folks not to leave human remains in the temple past the week. So that’s something folks have done before.
The funny thing is I can imagine doing that, actually.
The more I learn about Burning Man the more I have re-classified it not as an art festival, but as an experimental and ephemeral utopia. I can imagine that folks go there to experience a radically different way of being. During this week, I imagine folks experience deeply meaningful connections which are unique to Black Rock City. In an overly commodified world maybe the experience of being in a city that specifically organizes itself around principles of non-monetary exchange and community building forge connections so meaningful that people feel they are truly and deeply themselves in this place. I can easily wrap my head around the request to have their remains left there.
The theme this year is, “Curiouser and Curiouser” which you can read about here. I have enjoyed reading through it a few times. The invitation is to create art and experiences which inspire new connections based on the sense of wonder, awe, and curiosity. Taken together with the 10 Principles which inform the core of Burning Man, I am doing the work to put down my pre-formed ideas and just be open to whatever this experience will be.
Now, when I say “I am going to Burning Man” I know I don’t know what that means. Instead, all I know is that I am preparing to spend a few days in the Nevada desert as a human with other humans who are eager to unfetter our imagination together in an art filled experimental and ephemeral utopia.
I don’t know what’s ahead, but I am deeply excited.
Alexandra Ross Works 