There are regional groups of Burners around the US and around the world. One year, Burning Man requested that regional groups come up with art projects. Texas produced this magnificent bull.
As I’ve noted before, my primary reason for going to Burning Man is the art. The creativity involved goes on and on and can, at times, be mind-boggling. Over the past couple of months, I’ve provided examples, looking first at mutant vehicles and then at large-scale sculptures. Today, I am going to wrap up my posts on sculptures. Next week, I’ll introduce some very unique buildings that seemingly spring up overnight in the Black Rock Desert only to be disassembled or burned down a week later.
The same year that Texas produced the bull, the Northern California regional group produced this lighthouse.
A close up of the stained glass top.
There are dragons at Burning Man! Always. This guy’s tail needed propping up.
I thought this dragon looked friendly…
And this fellow scary. You may remember the quote, “meaner than a junk yard dog.” Well this was a junk yard dragon, made out of 100% pure junk. And check out that shadow!
A closer look at the skin on the dragon’s back. I thought the dog was a fun addition.
Meet Penny, the Canadian Goose. Over 100,000 pennies cover her body.
Is this a small woman or a big chair? It is definitely an Alice in Wonderland kind of thing. (Photo by Horse Bone Tribe member Don Green.)
“I shot an arrow into the air. It fell to earth I know not where.” –Longfellow
I really liked this illusion of cubes climbing into the sky. (Photo by Don Green.)
Tom Lovering caught this beautiful photo of a lotus with the sun behind it.
Large letter messages such as DREAM can be found at Burning Man almost every year.
This sculpture served as a gateway between the Center Camp Cafe and the Playa. A large dust storm stretches across the Playa and will soon invade Black Rock City, possibly causing a white out.
One expects to find ocean creatures scattered around Burning Man. A fence surrounding this octopus included hand cranks you could turn to move the tentacles. Much Burning Man art is designed to be interactive.
It isn’t unusual to find art that focuses on the Man, such as these hands…
And these circles.
A side view of the circles provided a different perspective.
I’ve always liked the grace of this simple sculpture.
The same sculpture from the back. Check out the stick sculpture under the wing.
A closer look. Imagine putting this together.
This prehistoric bird is another example of interactive art. Peggy climbed into its chest and worked pedals that made the wings flap. Slowly.
A large butterfly encouraged climbing!
This wood carving made me think I had arrived at Easter Island. I decided it would look good in black and white.
Lets get down and boogie!
A gypsy wagon is pulled by a rather unique horse.
I’ll close today with these colorful geometric structures.
NEXT BLOGS:
Monday: Bandon… I’ll continue my series on the beautiful Oregon coast.
Wednesday: The interview with Bone. You won’t want to miss it!
Friday: The buildings of Burning Man, including some stunning temples.
Wandering through Time and Place 
The art is a darn good reason to go to Burning Man. Thanks for all the amazing images.
You are welcome, Peggy. Interacting with a very interesting slice of humanity is also quite fun. 🙂 –Curt
some great stuff there Curt, difficult to choose a favourite, the St George in me says the dragons but think I will go for the gypsy wagon and horse.
The gypsy wagon had a sign on the back that offered various options for telling your fortune, Andrew, including tarot cards and palm reading. No one was home, however. My future is still a question mark. 🙂 –Curt
Best not to know I always think!
Yeah, I get that, Andrew.
And now I know why there’s a penny shortage in America! Wow, Curt. These sculptures are something else — can’t believe the one with all the sticks. And do they just bring the materials and assemble there? That must be tough in and of itself.
Many of the major pieces are assembled in advance, labeled, taken apart, transferred to Burning Man on 18-wheelers and reassembled. Don’t know about the building of sticks. They may have had a plan and the lumber and gone from there, Rusha. 🙂 –Curt
Incredible. Great photo of the “simple sculpture. You captured it brilliantly.
Thanks, Iowa. As I noted, it has always been one of my favorite Burning Man pieces. –Curt
I couldn’t decide today to pick a favorite on beauty or originality…. oh, it’s so hard to commit!! 🙂
And that’s a good thing, G. 🙂 There are always a few major pieces that get the most attention, but many of the smaller works are equally intriguing. –Curt
OMG the bull! The Canada goose! The geometric structures! And the lotus and the hands. So much beauty and ingenuity.
Alison
I think I have developed a greater appreciation for sculpture from my Burning Man experience, Alison. The thing about these different pieces like the bull, is that they can be appreciated from all sides, in fact, need to be appreciated from all sides. And many, the bull included, can also be admired from inside! 🙂 –Curt
Great art again. Thank you, Curt.
Thanks, Gerard. And I think I sent another of your comments into outer space the other day by starting to type outside the box. Again. I guess I am pretty much an outside of the box kind of guy. 🙂 –Curt
Well the next one’s in Aug 27 right?
If opportunities come our way, we’ll definitely be there!
And that would be fun! 🙂
Curt, thank you for giving these terrific images!
As you can tell, I enjoy sharing them! Glad you enjoy them, JF. –Curt
I had no idea Burning Man also involved sculptural art! Just wow…
Lots and lots and lots of it! –Curt
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stunning!!! I would’ve climbed that large butterfly… 🙂
It had a comfortable ‘bowl’ to sit in on top, Melanie. 🙂 –Curt
Thanks for show casing creativity at Burning Man. They are lovely. The lotus stayed with me.
So many dragons! Of course the dragons always make my heart beat faster. I love how the photo of the archer lines up with a string of balloons into the sky. The cubes are simply wonderful, and I would probably have to stand there for some time, allowing my mind to examine the illusion. The Easter Island carving is excellent in black and white – it looks like an animation, at first glance.
Burners seem to love dragons as well, Crystal, which is why there are so many every year. I suspect the archer could have used the balloons for target practice! 🙂 I laughed about the illusion. I think I stood in front of it for a while myself. –Curt
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The stretch fabric installation is called Flight of the Future Seed by Marc Ricketts and Norm Dibble, 2006. After this installation, Marc Ricketts founded Guildworks that does the structure of Sacred Spaces Village, you have a picture of. As for the “stick” installation it was by Belgium artist Arne Quinze, 2006. For more images visit again BRC http://thisisblackrockcity.blogspot.com without the dust.
Thanks, Oxygen! Much appreciated. –Curt