Burning Man

Someone's Temple - Short-lived Art
Photo by SB

Burning Man started on Monday and ends Sunday night. All week I've seen modified art cars and decorated RVs making the trek east on I80. My soul yearns to join them.

Lamplighters and Big Puppet
Photo by SB
The avenue is a half mile long and every night these guys hoist lit lanterns onto the posts the whole length. The two-story puppet is beautiful as well.

I've been there twice, the last time in 2005. Every Labor Day weekend I feel the pull to the dry lake bed about 100 miles north or Reno where 40,000 plus people gather in the name of freedom of artistic expression, beauty, art, subversion, and other great things.

The Man in 2003... he burned down two days later.
Photo by SB

A friend of my dad's tried to explain what Woodstock was like. It sounded neat, but he said he could not put into words the feeling of the place. You had to be there. Burning Man is kind of the same. I highly encourage you to go. I am going to return next year.

Burning Man official site
http://burningman.com/

WAIT !
Photo by SB
People rush the 4-story fire as soon as the wooden man collapses, despite the dangers. You can see one guy on the left in the background making his dash. These people worry and warn them of the dangers. Few listen. On the back of the Burning Man ticket is a disclaimer that the ticket holder releases BM of liability since the event can be deadly.

Magnum photos of the event.
http://todayspictures.slate.com/20090901/

Fire Dancer 1
Photo by SB
It is amazing to see the fire dancers, artistic heat and flash. Sometimes sensual things burn.

SFGates take on it.
http://www.sfgate.com/burningman/

Fire Dancer 2
Photo by SB

Begin the Burn
Photo by SB

Next year...