Burning Man: See Surreal Sculptures, Landscapes From Annual Festival
Nevada’s Black Rock Desert glowed neon after thousands of “Burners” set up camp in the sprawl for the 31st annual Burning Man gathering. This year’s theme, “Radical Ritual,” gave artists free rein to populate their temporary city with assorted shrines, temples and icons of their own designs. Check out dazzling, transcendent scenes from last weekend’s festivities with this gallery of photos by Andrew Jorgensen.
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‘Step Forward’
Image Credit: Andrew Jorgensen for Rolling Stone Carros de Foc and Miguel Angel Martin Bordera’s giant teenage girl puppet sculpture, titled “Step Forward,” walks and talks, interacting with Burning Man’s participants to learn from them – and to, tenderly, teach them her values.
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Action Figure Family
Image Credit: Andrew Jorgensen for Rolling Stone Jeff Allen Ricks sculpture lights up the desert at dusk.
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‘Phoenicopterus Rex’
Image Credit: Andrew Jorgensen for Rolling Stone A giant flamingo by Josh Zubkoff stands 40-feet tall as a “Welcome Home” sign for the festival attendees.
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LED Leaves
Image Credit: Andrew Jorgensen for Rolling Stone Ténéré offers shade to wanderers, adventure to climbers and transcendent community to those gathered beneath its 15,000 LED leaves.
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‘Dragonfly Mating Ritual’
Image Credit: Andrew Jorgensen for Rolling Stone Ed VanDyne and Rocky Mountain High Flyers Guild creation.
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Kalliope Art Car
Image Credit: Andrew Jorgensen for Rolling Stone Mikey Lion and Jonjo Williams play on top of the Kalliope art car while the Man burns on Saturday night.
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Flame Shooter
Image Credit: Andrew Jorgensen for Rolling Stone The Bounce art car shoots flames as burners dance in front of it during the Man burn on Saturday night.
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Bloomin’ in the Desert
Image Credit: Andrew Jorgensen for Rolling Stone The 40-foot tall “Bloom” sculpture by Peter Hazel sits in front of center camp.
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‘Firmament’
Image Credit: Andrew Jorgensen for Rolling Stone Burners gather and lay under the canopy of LEDs of Christoper Schardt’ art piece.
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Art Cars
Image Credit: Andrew Jorgensen for Rolling Stone Art Cars gather around DISTRIKT camp as the sun sets.
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Desert Throne
Image Credit: Andrew Jorgensen for Rolling Stone Sarah Herndon takes in the sunrise on an unknown art piece.
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Biking Across the ‘Playa’
Image Credit: Andrew Jorgensen for Rolling Stone Juliya Dan bikes across the playa, the term Burners use for the dry lake bed in the Black Rock Desert.
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‘Tower of Not Babel’
Image Credit: Andrew Jorgensen for Rolling Stone Yoga on top of “The Tower of Not Babel” as the sun sets over the Temple in the distance.
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Sunrise Play
Image Credit: Andrew Jorgensen for Rolling Stone Bob Moses plays on the Robot Heart and Mayan Warrior Art Cars at sunrise Thursday morning.
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Desert Hearts
Image Credit: Andrew Jorgensen for Rolling Stone Mikey Lion plays for a packed house Tuesday night at Pile Place camp.
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Sunset Sirens
Image Credit: Andrew Jorgensen for Rolling Stone Sally Smithson (left) and Alex “Cookie” Heredia after a strong sunset.
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Peaceful Contemplation
Image Credit: Andrew Jorgensen for Rolling Stone Burners climb on and explore artwork.
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Dragon Breath
Image Credit: Andrew Jorgensen for Rolling Stone A dragon art car shoots fire at as the sun rises over the Man in the distance.
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Ego Trip
Image Credit: Andrew Jorgensen for Rolling Stone Burners gather at Camp Ego Trip at sunset.
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Christina Art Car
Image Credit: Andrew Jorgensen for Rolling Stone The Christina art car cruises across the playa as a biker follows.
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Burners Gather at the Man
Image Credit: Andrew Jorgensen for Rolling Stone -
The Man Explodes Into Flames
Image Credit: Andrew Jorgensen for Rolling Stone -
Temple Burns
Image Credit: Andrew Jorgensen for Rolling Stone Burners watch in complete silence as the Temple burns Sunday night.
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Sally Smithson, Alex ‘Cookie’ Heredia
Image Credit: Andrew Jorgensen for Rolling Stone Strike a pose – at sunrise.
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Temple Walk
Image Credit: Andrew Jorgensen for Rolling Stone The lamplighters walk toward the Temple at sunrise.
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Welcome Home
Image Credit: Andrew Jorgensen for Rolling Stone DJs Porkchop and RYBO play at the Monday night Welcome Home party at camp Ego Trip.
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Land of the Rising Sun
Image Credit: Andrew Jorgensen for Rolling Stone Burners climb atop the Robot Heart art car as the sun rises over the Man in the distance.
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Attack of the Art Cars
Image Credit: Andrew Jorgensen for Rolling Stone Massive art cars cruise across the playa.
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Love Makes the World Go Round
Image Credit: Andrew Jorgensen for Rolling Stone Girls dance on top of the Robot Heart art car at sunrise.
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Sand Skippers
Image Credit: Andrew Jorgensen for Rolling Stone Kiersten Winant and Lauren Hillstrom skip toward the “Phoenicopterus Rex,” a giant flamingo sculpture.