A green dragon waits patiently while its passengers climb off to admire a 30 foot high sculpture on the Playa at Burning Man.
I’ve been sorting through and categorizing my Burning Man photos, all 11 years’ worth including 2004-5-6-7-9-10-12-13-14-15 and 17. As you might imagine, there are several thousand pictures. I’ve created 15 categories and will do posts on several of my favorites from each category over the next few weeks. My plan is to use Mondays and Wednesdays for my Burning Man posts and Fridays for my Pacific Crest Trail posts. Expect a few other subjects on Fridays as Peggy and I wander.
I debated with myself over how to kick the series off. Frankly, starting anywhere works when focusing in on the creativity of this annual event in the remote Nevada desert. Art is everywhere. Appreciating and enjoying it is the primary reason I have returned to Black Rock City again and again. Of course, people go to the event for many other reasons as well, such as dancing and drinking to the rolling thunder of heavy metal into the wee hours of the morning. They also go to see and be seen, to dress up in elaborate costumes, to attend lectures, to escape from their everyday worlds, and to participate in and contribute to Burning Man’s unique culture. The latter is central to the event. I consider photographing the art and sharing it with you as part of my contribution.
One of the most creative endeavors at Burning Man is the building of mutant vehicles, which is undertaken by both individuals and groups, or tribes as they are sometimes called out on the Playa. They are three ways to get around at Burning Man: to walk, to bike (which most do) or to travel in radically altered vehicles— i.e. mutants. Normal cars, vans, trucks, etc. must be parked. Mutant vehicles come in a variety of forms from bugs, to animals, to ships, to you name it. Today I am going to focus on dragons, most of whom breathe fire! Now, back to the green dragon featured at the top of the post.
The green dragon’s head and neck are operated by a series of pullies and springs.A close up. I’d say that this fellow is about to spring into action. Note the dirty snout. That’s where the dragon breaths out its fire.The Burner here is preparing to take the dragon across the Playa at Burning Man. The chains are used for operating the head and neck. Imagine yourself in the driver’s seat!The dragon prepares to depart as a Burner climbs on board. The bikes provide passengers with an alternative form of transportation. Note how the tail has been lifted to provide a door.This dragon appears eager. On your mark, get set…Go! Wait, could that intrepid driver be the fearless Peggy?It took me a while to decided that this sharp-toothed golden creature was a dragon. But the tube in its mouth persuaded me that when the sun went down, she would be breathing fire!And check out those claws!One year the dragon ran around on the Playa by itself. The next year it had a baby. Given all the dragons found at Burning Man, it hardly seems surprising.I caught an earlier version of the dragon with its eyes glowing at dusk. I’ve noted over the years that the same mutant vehicles may come back again and again, but they often morph.Is this dragon smiling? I’d still be reluctant to get too near its mouth.Lest you get taken in by its teeth as well as its smile. I would suggest that the weapon up on its back speaks to ill-intentions.My friend and fellow Burner Tom Lovering caught this shot of a car dragon.Another low to the ground dragon. If you look carefully at its mouth, you can see that it is eating a frog. But maybe the frog is escaping.This dragon was personality plus, although it was more sculpture than mutant vehicle.And what about this beauty with its bright colors and proud wings… (Photo by Tom Lovering.)A close up. That almost looks like a sword hanging down from its mouth. Maybe a dragon slaying knight met his untimely end. This impressive dragon was labeled Heavy Metal, which was probably the name of its tribe. I was sorry that I only got one photo of it.I’m convinced that this dragon is one of the scariest at Burning Man.Here’s another head shot.A full shot of the dragon. I would not like to meet it at night! Check out the size of those hind legs.Speaking of night, mutant vehicles take on different personalities as the sun goes down behind the desert mountains.Whoa! Eyes that glow in the night. Mr. Blue Eyes in the photo above this guy appears positively friendly in comparison.Striking green dragon head with interesting teeth.Dragon with red snout!Not sure that this creature was a dragon, but it was impressive. Maybe it is a mutant cat or? This night dragon wins the prize for size among the dragons of Burning Man. The driver is up on top. A full view. People actually walk near the front and sides of these large mutant vehicles to guide them and make sure that they don’t run over anyone!A four eyed dragon, rather Asian in its look.And I will conclude with one of my favorites, which just might be a alligator. I found it hanging out near the New Orleans tribe’s camp. It either had green wings or was lurking under a palm tree, waiting for an unsuspecting victim.
NEXT POST: From dragons to bugs, to cats, and hippos! More mutant vehicles.
33 thoughts on “Magnificent Mutant Dragons… 11 Years of Burning Man Art”
Every now and then, something at Burning Man really catches my interest, and this time it was the alligator. Of course it was from the NOLA tribe. Most of the time, we use duct tape to wrap up that snout, but when you’re dealing with a BM gator, with that really substantial size and weight, you’d better bring in the chains!
I think you are right about the alligator, Linda. I had similar thoughts. No doubt, it was a magnificent creature and hung out near the NOLA camp! –Curt
Yes I would. I’ve not been. I’ve thought about it but it’s a bit too primitive than I’d care for.
The camping or the life-style? 🙂
The camping. My queen size mattress doesn’t travel well.
Laughing. Our 22 foot van has a king sized bed in it. Now, my mattress summer I was backpacking with was about 3 feet across. –Curt
The camper is perfect.
The only problem is that it is filled with fine dust after the windstorms rip across the Playa. Takes forever to clean it out. –Curt
Yes, it can be bad. That type of dust gets everywhere. Ugh!!!
Including ears, eyes, and cameras!
Unfortunately!
The pros go to considerable trouble to protect their cameras, Tim.
You have to. Dust like that is one of the reasons I prefer to use one lens, the Tamron 16-300mm. It has great versatility.
Peggy and I use the Tamron 16-300 on our EOS Rebel T6i as well. I’ve been using a Tamron’s multi-purpose lens for close to 30 years. –Curt
Fantastic. I shot with a Rebel T3i for many years until I upgraded to the 70D a couple of years ago. I needed greater light sensitivity. The Rebel is a great camera.
Thank you for some other fantastic post. Where else could anybody get that type of information in such a perfect manner of
writing? I have a presentation next week, and I am at the look for such info.
Most of the beasties and much of the art have definite day and night personalities, Sue. In fact, the whole event takes on a different personality at night. Best to muzzle a dragon if you are planning on any personal encounters! 🙂 –Curt
Wandering through Time and Place 
Every now and then, something at Burning Man really catches my interest, and this time it was the alligator. Of course it was from the NOLA tribe. Most of the time, we use duct tape to wrap up that snout, but when you’re dealing with a BM gator, with that really substantial size and weight, you’d better bring in the chains!
I think you are right about the alligator, Linda. I had similar thoughts. No doubt, it was a magnificent creature and hung out near the NOLA camp! –Curt
Curt, magnificent images.
You’d go crazy with your camera there, Tim. Or maybe you’ve been? –Curt
Yes I would. I’ve not been. I’ve thought about it but it’s a bit too primitive than I’d care for.
The camping or the life-style? 🙂
The camping. My queen size mattress doesn’t travel well.
Laughing. Our 22 foot van has a king sized bed in it. Now, my mattress summer I was backpacking with was about 3 feet across. –Curt
The camper is perfect.
The only problem is that it is filled with fine dust after the windstorms rip across the Playa. Takes forever to clean it out. –Curt
Yes, it can be bad. That type of dust gets everywhere. Ugh!!!
Including ears, eyes, and cameras!
Unfortunately!
The pros go to considerable trouble to protect their cameras, Tim.
You have to. Dust like that is one of the reasons I prefer to use one lens, the Tamron 16-300mm. It has great versatility.
Peggy and I use the Tamron 16-300 on our EOS Rebel T6i as well. I’ve been using a Tamron’s multi-purpose lens for close to 30 years. –Curt
Fantastic. I shot with a Rebel T3i for many years until I upgraded to the 70D a couple of years ago. I needed greater light sensitivity. The Rebel is a great camera.
Yes,his right
Where is St George when you need him!
It would be impossible to pick a favorite dragon. The Burning Man artists did their magic once again!
Always, G. 🙂 –Curt
An extraordinary collection!
Thanks, Len. They always make great photo subjects. –Curt
Such awesome creatures!
Aren’t they Kelly. It’s always fun to go to Burning Man and see the latest creations. –Curt
These photos are amazing. I’m looking forward to your Burning Man post days, what a great idea!
Thanks Sylvia. I’ve been planning on going through and organizing my Burning Man photos for years. So I am inspired. 🙂 –Curt
Thank you for some other fantastic post. Where else could anybody get that type of information in such a perfect manner of
writing? I have a presentation next week, and I am at the look for such info.
Glad you found the post useful. Many more to come.
These dragons, or at least some, seem to have day and night personalities. Wowza. Glad to see the alligator has a chain muzzle on!
Most of the beasties and much of the art have definite day and night personalities, Sue. In fact, the whole event takes on a different personality at night. Best to muzzle a dragon if you are planning on any personal encounters! 🙂 –Curt
Glad to see you’re dragon us into another visit with the crazy art of Burning Man.
Always fun to play around with Burning Man posts, Dave. It gets me fired up. –Curt