A Pink Tiger, a Ukrainian Hedgehog, a Large, Blue Bear, and a Gigantic Spider, Plus: The Intriguing Wildlife of Burning Man 2023

/ Curt Mekemson

It’s been four years since I have been to Burning Man and longer for Peggy. We certainly saw differences this year that I will discuss later, but one thing I wanted to mention today is that Burning Man seemed more international to us than ever before. It was apparent in the different languages we heard as we explored the Playa and Black Rock City, but even more so in the art. You may have noticed in my past three posts on Burning Man art how many of the pieces were created by artists from other countries. Today, I feature works from Armenia, Ukraine, China and the United Kingdom as well as the US.

A huge, inflatable tiger was one of the prominent works of art on the Playa at Burning Man 2023 . Its size and pink color guaranteed it stood out. Bicyclists provide perspective on its size.
A tails-eye take on the towering tiger! The artist, Misha Libertee from Armenia, named her sculpture Vagr, which is Armenian for tiger. She stated that the “Bright pink color of the installation serves as a reminder of the struggles that these animals face due to habitat loss, poaching, and climate change.” We wondered if the sign on the right would provide more information.
I’m pretty sure that another Burning Man artist decided to add Calvin to the equation. While it may not have been what Libertee had in mind, it certainly resonated with me. Calvin and Hobbes was one of my all-time favorite cartoons. Created by Bill Watterson in 1985, it was discontinued ten years later. The cartoon has been missed by millions ever since, including me! Maybe there is a message here about endangered tigers…
Another interesting animal that caught our attention immediately was a large hedgehog. It came with a story…
Created by Ukrainian artists Yaroslav Korets and Kurenivka from Kyiv, the sculpture memorializes artists who died defending Ukraine against the Russian invasion. At the base of the sculpture are tank traps that Ukrainians created to slow the progress of Russian tanks through their cities. The tank traps are known as hedgehogs. Hundreds were made by the Ukrainian Railway utilizing new rails.
Two Polar Bears stood out as stars on the Playa, literally. They were named Ursa Major and Ursa Minor after the constellations. The little fellow had been to Burning Man before. Little is relative. She stands 13 feet tall. Her big sister, Ursa Major, is over three stories.
The artist, Jen Lewin from Brooklyn, said that Ursa Minor’s infinity mirrors were a reminder to “Look up.”
The 30 foot tall Ursa Major had an opening that also featured mirrors. Lewin noted that “Ursa Major’s hollow body is filled with glowing infinity mirrors, each reflecting mosaic drawings of extinct animals from the past 12 months.” From the outside, I couldn’t see the animals. Possibly, they would be clearer at night when lit up.
Peggy, on the other hand, who isn’t endangered, was reflected numerous times. The guy wearing the hat above her on the right is me. I think. At 80, I’m a little more endangered than Peggy.
But not here. Peggy got caught by a giant spider that undoubtedly thought of her as a tasty morsel. Always the optimist, she is laying back and enjoying the view. Spider Trap was created by Josh Zubkoff & Looking Up Arts from San Francisco, CA. Josh noted that “Spider Trap was not menacing.” Hmmm.
These etherial, almost whimsical creatures floated above the Playa. They represent fairy shrimp. In real life they are found under the surface of the Playa. Rain brings them to life for a brief period of time when they mate and reproduce. Burning Man 2023 with its heavy rains was a banner year for them.
Created by P. Michael Quinn from Gossburg, TN, this is at least the second time the shrimp have made an appearance on the Playa. I featured them in post several years ago. I like the effect of the sun.
While we are featuring aquatic life, this fish hails from the Caribbean. Her creator, NiNo from Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico, named his work ATABEY’s Treasure. Atabey, according to NiNo is “The goddess of fresh water to the indigenous Taíno people in the Caribbean.”
ATABEY’s Treasure lit up at night with the Man in the background.
Titled “Migrations,” this graceful white bird seems to be rising from its nest on the Playa on its way to wherever.
Created by Olivia Guethling & Mar Ricketts – Superwhelm from Portland, OR, the migrating bird was even more beautiful at night than it was during the day.
“These boots were made for walking,” Nancy Sinatra’s song popped into my mind when I saw this 8 meter/26 foot tall inflatable bunny named “Mona” sporting tall yellow boots.
According to the artist, Miao He from Shehong, China, Mona “serves as a symbol of love, warmth, and childhood memories.” I confess that my reaction as a child would have been to scream and run as fast as my little legs would have carried me in the opposite direction if an 8 meter bunny came striding toward me. This child, however, ran up to the bunny and threw its arm around the forward boot, seemingly proving Miao’s point.
“Exquisite Animalus,” an art piece by Stefan Spins & KJ Bohéme, included six animals that could be moved by ropes and handles to become the animals they were meant to be. Obvious a little work was required. I took on the challenge, pulling first on the ropes and then on the handles. The animals hardly budged. Maybe they liked being who they had become. Or maybe the playa dust had gotten in their gears…
I particularly liked this critter, a common warthog. I once met a family of them when I was driving a VW bug through the Serengeti National Park in East Africa.
Queen Cobra, by Andrea Greenlees, Andy Tibbetts, and Josh Haywood from London, United Kingdom & Reno, NV. Like many works of art at Burning Man, The Queen was designed so people could climb on it. She reminds me of Wadjet, an important goddess of lower Egypt. (And yes, I will get back to my posts on the Nile. Eventually.) This wraps up my blog today. Next up, I will be featuring three huge planets that made their way onto the Playa.

21 thoughts on “A Pink Tiger, a Ukrainian Hedgehog, a Large, Blue Bear, and a Gigantic Spider, Plus: The Intriguing Wildlife of Burning Man 2023”

  3. Oh gosh, I’d have a hard time choosing a favourite here. They are all delightful. I might like Queen Cobra best, because she’s creative and I could climb her, but the rainbow bird at night is so lovely, and the plastic Nancy Sinatra bunny is hilarious. I think the addition of Calvin to the pink tiger is the most perfect part though. Apologies to Misha Libertee. Also, Misha, what does pink have to do with declining habitat? Oh!! the fairy shrimp that make you think about things beneath your feet. And most of all the hedgehog, that makes you think about the tragedy of war and resilience of spirit. Yeah, maybe the hedgehog is my favourite.

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    • No doubt, lots to choose from, Crystal from humor to beauty to serious. That’s the nature of Burning Man art and its unending creativity. I’m with you on the Hedgehog. As always, thanks for your thoughtful comments. –Curt

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  6. I like the fairy shrimp — there are places in west Texas where they emerge, too — but my favorite is “Exquisite Animalus.” I had one of those toys when I was a kid, although I can’t quite remember what was represented. I do know that mine was made of wooden blocks, and I loved twisting them around to create improbable creatures.

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    • Laughing, I can see the young Linda being fascinated with creating new creatures. I certainly tried at Burning Man! But I think moving those blocks required more people.
      Tomorrow Peggy and I will be back in Africa enjoying the national parks and wildlife of Botswana and Zimbabwe!

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