From August 26 to September 2, the Nevada Desert was once again the theatre of the Burning Man, one of the most interesting festivals of recent years.
For 9 consecutive days, the Black Rock Desert has been transformed into an open-air museum that explores the theme of metamorphosis with numerous installations by artists from all over the world.
We have selected the ones that have best interpreted the theme, the ones that have most impressed us in terms of meaning, discover them all in the gallery below.
The Temple of Direction, Geordie Van Der Bosch
Made using the Japanese technique of 借景 shakkei, typical of gardening, The Temple of Direction embodies the concept of metamorphosis in its most basic sense, that of growth.
“The growth of the
His temple was the main entrance to the festival, a structure characterized by large spaces and other more intimate where you can live moments of sharing but also of total meditation.
Stone 27, Benjamin Langholz
Perhaps the installation most talked about on
Stone 27 by Benjamin Langholz is a suspended path, 27 elevated rocks on which people walked a few meters from the ground, a moment of complete presence in the middle of a boundless desert.
Andromeda Reimagined: a sanctuary in deep playa, John Marx – Form4 Architecture
A review of the Greek myth of Andromeda in a female empowerment key. If, in fact, in the original version Andromeda is saved by Perseus, in that of John Marx for the Burning Man is saved thanks to her strength and the help of her community.
Andromeda Reimagined invites visitors to its lush interiors that contain four oval paintings by the artist Mary Graham depicting the new narrative.
Inside, perfectly in the middle, there is also a sculpture by Mischell Riley called “Freedom and Awaken”.
“the structure itself relates to the infinite potential of the stars in the sky — specifically the andromeda constellation, but not in any literal way, the white star-shaped cutouts and the dramatic swirls represent the arc of planets and stars as they move across the sky.” – Explain Marx
Desert Wave, Squidsoup
The Squisoup wave, originally commissioned by Salisbury Cathedral in Wiltshire, arrives in the desert.
A highly immersive installation, a light wave formed by 650 light points, inside which it was possible to live a shared audiovisual experience.
The Folly, Dave Keene
Artist Dave Keene is a festival veteran and his “The Folly” is a testament to that.
A carnival village, an imaginary shantytown with the aim of becoming a meeting place for all those present at the festival, a place that can amaze and remind us of the beauty and playfulness of childhood.
Built around a tower and windmill, Keene Village is a complex network of passageways, stairs, secret doors and hidden rooms, including a central courtyard, hard to reach, built to be a stage for performances, readings, concerts, yoga classes and much more.
Inside there is also a costume shop and a bicycle repair shop, essential for a festival in which you move almost only like that.
Mariposita, Chris Carnabuci
A female figure who emerges from her own shell, grasping it and getting rid of it.
The work, immediate and strong of its own meaning, represents the concept of transformation and rebirth.
I.L.Y, Dan Mountain
Created by New York artist Dan Mountain, I.L.Y. is a giant reproduction of a forearm and a hand made from scrap steel and other recycled and converted metals.
I.L.Y. is designed to engage users visually, physically and emotionally.
The entire sculpture, in fact, really exists only if the participants set in motion the gears, allowing the hands and fingers to move.
“Our intention, with this piece, is to create art that requires participation to be complete, that thrives on communication, and the willingness to allow yourself to become part of something fun and interactive. In today’s day and age, it seems that people are developing an apprehension to be self- motivated.””
Grand Pyramid, PlayAlchemist
PlayAlchemist’s Grand Pyramid returns to the Burning Man to continue, in all its brilliance, to be a reference point for events focused on the theme of the entire edition, the metamorphosis.
Sacred Grounds, Michael Benisty
One of the many silver sculptures that populated the city in this 2019 edition. Sacred Grounds by Michael Benisty is the tree of life that blooms from a woman.
The Man, David Best
The symbol of the Festival slips away from the hands of Larry Harvey, founder of the event that died in 2018, to pass into those of David Best.
It is his wooden man who was burned, as per tradition, to decree the end.
