If you find a convertible that has morphed into a cat, the odds are you are at Burning Man.
If you wish to drive a vehicle at Burning Man, you have to obtain a permit from DMV. I am not talking about the Department of Motor Vehicles here; I am talking about the Department of MUTANT Vehicles.
Cars, golf carts, trucks, and busses have to change into something completely different and unrecognizable to cruise through Black Rock City and out on the Playa. Only bikes are allowed to roam free. And even they are known to morph into dragons, horses, camels and a multitude of other creatures. (Check out my next blog.)
The same creative energy that goes into art, costumes and performances at Burning Man goes into the production of mutant vehicles. A tractor pulls a false-front house and bar across the playa while an outhouse trails behind. An old bus changes into a riverboat, the Lady Sassafras, courtesy of Fractal-Nation. A convertible morphs into a cat. Dragons, polar bears, bugs and pirates roam the playa with impunity. There is even a vehicle for the couch potato.
A closeup of the cat car that prowls the nighttime streets of Black Rock City.
Out on the edge of Burning Man’s Playa we found a false front house and bar being pulled by a tractor.
Dragons are common themes for mutant vehicles at Burning Man. As for the dancing lady on the left, who knows?
This River Boat, the Lady Sassafras, was created by Fractal Nation, one of the major theme camps at Burning Man. (Photo by Tom Lovering)
A mutant vehicle for couch potatoes. Note the license plate.
I am not sure whether this Praying Mantis or her shadow was more frightening.
A human-powered mutant vehicle? Note the fuel in the engine’s left hand.
Like the man pulling the piano, I am not sure Mama Bear qualifies as a mutant vehicle. (Actually I am sure they don’t, but I have to put these wonderful images somewhere.)
This Conestoga Wagon seems appropriate for the desert. Pioneers once made their way through the Black Rock Desert on their way to Oregon following the Applegate Trail. The device on the side of the wagon is for shooting out flames at night.
My all time favorite mutant vehicle is the Neverwas Haul, a three-story Victorian house with the characteristics of a railroad steam engine including a cattle catcher. Horse-Bone Camp member Sailor Boy, AKA Tom Lovering, likes the Haul so much that he donated an antique ship-telegraph last year. The telegraph was designed to allow the pilot to communicate with the engine room.
The Neverwas Haul.
81 thoughts on “Mutants in the Desert… Burning Man”
Mustang.Koji
The praying mantis and the Conestoga was awesome. 🙂
Curt Mekemson
Yes they are. There are hundreds of mutant vehicles. Each one is unique.
Jane Hagedorn
Actually these “vehicles” are awesome!
Curt Mekemson
Can you imagine what James Allen could create at Burning Man, Jane?
FeyGirl
Heh, I love what people are capable of in these venues! I think my favorite’s the kitty-mobile. But the Mantis-mobile is AMAZING. And I love the Teddy Bear-parade… OK, maybe I don’t have a favorite.
Curt Mekemson
The cat car is a close second for me. It’s there every year and I have more photos of it than I do of Neverwas Haul. That means lots. (grin) I really had a hard time picking out vehicles to feature. I am hoping to take more night photos this year. The mutants take on a whole new personality after dark when Burning Man turns into a fairy tale land.
Peggy
I have to admit that my favorites are the fire breathing dragons or fire breathing anything!
Curt Mekemson
Which speaks to the value of our taking more night photos!
earwaxdissertation
These must all be made by unemployed set designers. Fascinating. THx for the update.
Curt Mekemson
Love your name. And, yes, there is a lot of artistic talent involved at Burning Man.
free penny press
These are great ..I love the Mermaid one and the Piano Man is priceless.. Burning Man is on my “must do before I’m too old to enjoy” jaunts!!!
Curt Mekemson
Darn… Do we ever get that old? Don’t tell my body. The mermaid comes from one of the larger camps.
Michela
The kitty mobile is pretty awesome but the false front house looks real! I love this post!
Curt Mekemson
Kitty is popular. As for the House, I found it as far out on the playa as you can go at Burning Man… on the edge of the fence. To add to the authenticity, they were serving moonshine.
Skipping Stars Productions LLC
Reblogged this on Full Moon Rant Alliance.
Curt Mekemson
Many thanks for the reblog! Much appreciated.
Fenya
Love these pictures!
Curt Mekemson
Thanks Fenya.
joshbakerwriter
Awesome shots. Burning Man is on my bucket list, but the timing is bad for a teacher.
Curt Mekemson
Thanks. My wife’s a principal… Had to wait for her to retire before she could go with me. Couldn’t keep her home now!
chaotican
I’m going with the man on stilts dragging the piano playing girl. I just like non-sequiturs. Thanks for the pics!
Curt Mekemson
Never know what’s going to come next…
wilmer donai
soy de la ciudad y me gustan mucho las motos
Curt Mekemson
Gracias. Hay sorpresa, no?
Mei
This place is awesome!! After seeing all of your photos I still think that the cat convertible is my favorite. I’m excited to see pictures from your next post!
Curt Mekemson
I’ve taken many photos of the cat car. (grin) I am hoping to blog from Burning Man but Internet service is minimal.
fstopfun
Great images! I wish I was there
Curt Mekemson
Thanks. Put it on your calendar for next year. Everyone with a yearning for a unique experience should try it at least once.
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jalal michael sabbagh
Very unique post.Regards.Jalal
Curt Mekemson
Thanks Jalai. It’s easy to be unique when dealing with Burning Man.
childrenworking
I love the bears!
Curt Mekemson
The bears are well loved. What a clever idea it was.
whilehewasout
Well it is just, wow, I guess? Haha, great pictures, crazy people.
Curt Mekemson
Well, at least half crazy. (grin)
Anonymous
The pictures and posts get better every year! Some day we will join you in experiencing Burning Man in person…. It’ll look even better after a few more winters in Kodiak~
Curt Mekemson
Your on… Peggy and I look forward to sharing after or during Kodiak! Thanks for the kind words.
cartoonmick
Stay cool, if you can.
Curt Mekemson
They are promising hot, major dust storms and smoke from California fires. it’s Burning Man!
bzerob
A true feast for the eyes! I love it!
Curt Mekemson
Almost overwhelming at times. Everywhere you look from art, to costumes, to mutant vehicles and performers… it is a feast. Thanks.
padraigoconnor
Cool. I´ve never been, but I´d love to go.
Curt Mekemson
Like your image… It’s like the ape I use in mine. Very cool.
padraigoconnor
Cheers Curt. I like yours too. 🙂
Cosette
This is really cool. I’ve always wanted to get out to Burning Man, but I haven’t made it yet. Thanks for sharing and congrats on getting Freshly Pressed.
Curt Mekemson
Thanks. Burning Man is definitely worth the trip. And yes… I truly appreciate WordPress and being Freshly Pressed. It’s an honor.
Nancy
The pictures are amazing, as all of your pictures are! You and Peggy are my #1 photographers…Can’t wait to see picts from this year! I love the teddy bears and the cat car. Have a great time!
Curt Mekemson
Hey Sis… Thanks for stopping by. I would have bet your vote would be for the bears.
Anonymous
How do you keep the sand off the camara? The pictures are great!
Curt Mekemson
Thanks. And your right. It is tough keeping the sand out. I’ve used a large ziplock and cut out a hole for the lens. Now I try to take my photos when the dust isn’t blowing and keep it in a ziplock the rest of the time.
theinfinitejourneyblog
Ugh I would love to go to BM 🙂 what an experience!
Curt Mekemson
That it is.Thanks for commenting.
Cammie
Great blog, Curt! No wonder they chose you for Fresh Pressed! SO thrilled to see all of your hard work paying off. We are proud of you!
Curt Mekemson
Thanks so much Cammie. I am really glad you and Tony like it. Seems like a long time ago when I put the first one up and you were making suggestions. Again, thanks to both of you for your continuing support.
sayhayday
These vehicles are astounding! Thanks for the great photographs.
Curt Mekemson
I am always amazed at how much work and creative energy goes into the creation of Mutant Vehicles.
Lepank
Nice Article
Curt Mekemson
Thanks… Of the different things I blog about, Burning Man is always a kick.
liverloverlass
Only in America!
Curt Mekemson
It is a phenomena, that’s for sure. Events like the Mardi Gras in Rio certainly foster a similar type of joyful insanity.
davidatqcm
Where exactly is Burning Man and when are the cars there? It’s a long way from Tasmania but is on my list for my American trip
Curt Mekemson
Yes, it’s a ways from Tasmania. (grin) Burning Man is located in the Black Rock Desert of northern Nevada about a hundred miles from Reno.There are probably some folks from tasmania who have been.
Yasir Imran
vehicles are awesome nice post
Curt Mekemson
Thanks and awesome is a good word to describe them.
nataliemagee
How do they dream up these amazing things!? Fantastic
Curt Mekemson
Good Question Natalie. When they finish this year, many of them will already be dreaming up next year.
rlaney22
These vehicles are spectacular – what imagination!!! The paddle boat reminds me of the real Dixie Queen paddle boat in NO, LA. It’s another type of Mardi Gras parade & I’ve seen so many I can’t count. Living in LA is sometimes like living in a time warp or on a whole different plane – a Crazy one – but no not everyone lives in a house with a mud floor on a bayou and has alligators in the back yard…..
I would love to attend this event at some point in the future… It looks like an an absolute blast. Maybe one of these vehicles could be a gigantic alligator with a whipping tail – watch out on the side lines for gatorlash!!
Curt Mekemson
Loved the comment… I’ve been to the Mardi Gras but only once. As for the mud floor house with alligators roaming around in my back yard… That’s new. (grin) You should get together with FeyGirl who has a real thing for alligators and takes great photos of them. I am looking forward to your alligator mutant vehicle!
L. Palmer
These are amazing! I’d love to go check these out in person.
Have you ever been to a kinetic sculpture race? People put together similarly outrageous and themed floats that can’t be powered by motors, and have to be able to travel on land and water. It’s a blast too.
Here’s the Wikipedia link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinetic_sculpture_race.
Curt Mekemson
Thanks. They are definitely worth the trip, and Mutant Vehicles are just one part of what goes into making Burning Man the unique experience it is. I haven’t been to a kinetic sculpture race but I’ll check our your reference.
skitalica
I love mutants! so much creativity. My favourite last year were the flaming octopus and the magic mushroom car~~
my write-up on BM: arebelwithacause.org/2012/08/27/green-burning-man
Curt Mekemson
I had the misfortune of having to miss last year. So there is much to make up for! I will check out your sire.
Roc
the Lady Sassafras was built by the Crown Collective from New Orleans (who are a part of FractalNation) She is built out of a hurricane Katrina supply bus and over 50% of the steel was salvaged from the streets post katrina.
Curt Mekemson
Thanks Roc… that’s good information. Much appreciated.
Tasha
Wonderful pics and I love the Teddy Parade! The praying mantis shadow is wonderful. Great shot!
Curt Mekemson
The bears were back this year. (grin) A guy on his bike pulls Mommy Bear and she in turn pulls the rest. It’s quite the parade. It’s amazing they never seem to get tangled up given all of the bike and mutant vehicle traffic.
Curt Mekemson
Also… Tasha… Jay and Jenna detoured to follow the bear.
Wesley Blackman
Mr. Mekemson,
I’d like to use your picture of the Conestoga truck-wagon in one of my blog posts at http://connecting-rods.blogspot.com. I would be happy to credit you for the photo and provide a link to your blog, please let me know if you approve. Thanks!
Wesley
Curt Mekemson
Absolutely, Wesley… and I will check our your blog.
Anonymous
Thank you!
-Wesley
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