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September 5, 2017 6:59PM ET

Burning Man: See Surreal Sculptures, Landscapes From Annual Festival

Thousands of artists and free-spirits combine for a desert spectacle full of fire, dust, metal and magic

By

Rolling Stone

Reporter

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See Photos inside burning man 2017 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.

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.

Andrew Jorgensen for Rolling Stone

Jeff Allen Ricks sculpture lights up the desert at dusk.

Andrew Jorgensen for Rolling Stone

A giant flamingo by Josh Zubkoff stands 40-feet tall as a “Welcome Home” sign for the festival attendees.

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.

Andrew Jorgensen for Rolling Stone

Ed VanDyne and Rocky Mountain High Flyers Guild creation.

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.

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.

Andrew Jorgensen for Rolling Stone

The 40-foot tall “Bloom” sculpture by Peter Hazel sits in front of center camp.

Andrew Jorgensen for Rolling Stone

Burners gather and lay under the canopy of LEDs of Christoper Schardt’ art piece.

Andrew Jorgensen for Rolling Stone

Art Cars gather around DISTRIKT camp as the sun sets.

Andrew Jorgensen for Rolling Stone

Sarah Herndon takes in the sunrise on an unknown art piece.

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.

Andrew Jorgensen for Rolling Stone

Yoga on top of “The Tower of Not Babel” as the sun sets over the Temple in the distance.

Andrew Jorgensen for Rolling Stone

Bob Moses plays on the Robot Heart and Mayan Warrior Art Cars at sunrise Thursday morning.

Andrew Jorgensen for Rolling Stone

Mikey Lion plays for a packed house Tuesday night at Pile Place camp.

Andrew Jorgensen for Rolling Stone

Sally Smithson (left) and Alex “Cookie” Heredia after a strong sunset.

Andrew Jorgensen for Rolling Stone

Burners climb on and explore artwork.

Andrew Jorgensen for Rolling Stone

A dragon art car shoots fire at as the sun rises over the Man in the distance.

Andrew Jorgensen for Rolling Stone

Burners gather at Camp Ego Trip at sunset.

Andrew Jorgensen for Rolling Stone

The Christina art car cruises across the playa as a biker follows.

Andrew Jorgensen for Rolling Stone

Andrew Jorgensen for Rolling Stone

Andrew Jorgensen for Rolling Stone

Burners watch in complete silence as the Temple burns Sunday night.

Andrew Jorgensen for Rolling Stone

Strike a pose – at sunrise.

Andrew Jorgensen for Rolling Stone

The lamplighters walk toward the Temple at sunrise.

Andrew Jorgensen for Rolling Stone

DJs Porkchop and RYBO play at the Monday night Welcome Home party at camp Ego Trip.

Andrew Jorgensen for Rolling Stone

Burners climb atop the Robot Heart art car as the sun rises over the Man in the distance.

Andrew Jorgensen for Rolling Stone

Massive art cars cruise across the playa.

Andrew Jorgensen for Rolling Stone

Girls dance on top of the Robot Heart art car at sunrise.

Andrew Jorgensen for Rolling Stone

Kiersten Winant and Lauren Hillstrom skip toward the “Phoenicopterus Rex,” a giant flamingo sculpture.