The Creepy, Yet Beautiful Street Art of Dan Witz Now in L.A.
Does Traffic Get Worse After the End of Daylight Saving Time?
Silver Lake Art Crawl: Also a Food Truck Crawl?
Eye Nosh: Is This the Best Pastrami in America?
Thomas Keller Comes Home: Book Signings and a Recipe(!)
So I survived a week in the desert, without having a shower or other modern amenities. Burning Man 2007 will go down as one of the most memorable burns in its 21 year history. From the premature immolation to the total lunar eclipse, from the dust storms to the increased security, from the late art installations to the amazing art cars, this year's burn will mark as the pivotal point for the future of this festival.
As veteran burners continued to frustration with the development of Burning Man into a corporate entity, BMORG (Burning Man Organization) will be forced to increase the security and bureacracy for the event. The increased presence of Sheriff's Department Officers and BLM Rangers have already dampened the radical self-expression the community has thrived on as its core. This year's burn has created a seismic ripple within the community, and it will be interesting to see how BMORG will react to the issues brought about by this year's burn.
All photos by me.
add to stumble upon
add to reddit
tweet this
post to facebook
that first one is a damn classic
i'd like to know more about what happened out there bureaucracy-wise. i stopped going in 2002 after several years because i noticed very specific rules of dress and attitude being subtly or not subtly enforced - a recent development to a friendly, rowdy party.
i started to want people to bring that eccentric, rebellious energy to their daily lives instead of storing it for the playa.
what changed this year?
wow - great photos!
Fantastic photos! Thanks for sharing them.
this year also had the festival's first suicide.
Great photos.
Awesome photots - I'm in for next year and your pictures have me counting down the days already!
the big rig was my favorite art piece! after we saw the sunrise on sunday we also saw the hot air-balloon land on the playa...i think it was the same day )'( lo
This year was my 5th year going and I was feeling jaded, I went cause I was going to meet up with some old friends I don't see often. This year ended up being different, and a fantastic experience. This was the best year expect for the first one...
This year was my virgin run and I was so incredibly happy with the way it turned out! Next year, theme camp and an art car :) Great pictures. I'm glad I was there Monday morning so I could watch the eclipse and the early burn (I was between center camp and the man when it was lit). Security only weirded me out when I was spending alone time out by the fence past the oil derrick, other than that I didn't mind or notice. I was sad to hear that someone decided to die there but I think I'd like my ashes to be spread out on the playa during the event fallowing my death. Hope to see everyone next year and we can bring the spirit of this years burn with us. Peace
Ok so now finally I have to sound like a disgruntled old-timer! I've been going since 1997, the year after 'the last good year' as many early Burners say...anyway I've not gone every year since but when i do I've generally found them better and better, despite the subtle increase of yahoos, pervs and spectators, and the decrease of radical free expression, public sexuality and communal vibeage.
This year, however, was a real let down. Maybe the Man burning early set a weird tone, I don't know, but what I experienced was loads of newbies-mostly kids-who were unlit and unhip to the meaninga nd purpose of the burn, some who were even agro! Way too many huge clubs, most of which seemed empty most of the time-not enough interest or people? Also way less feeling of community and connection, interaction, and delighting in each other. My heart feels sad, it really does. Way too much spectacle, not enough substance. I hate to say this, especially to those of you who are just discovering what is still a wonderful thing, but...anyone else share these sentiments?
Although I still had an amazing time at burning man this year, I also feel it is not the same event it use to be. I wouldn't mind it growing but many people did not get the "leave no trace" concept. It saddened me as I left the playa and saw so much garbage. People seemed disrespectful to each other also. I usually spend so much time getting to know people, but this year I stuck with friends because every time I would try to talk with someone or share something I received weird vibes and even mean comments. I love burning man and am so happy I spent five years going, but I think I need something new. I usually come back feeling better about society, but not this year. Please, if you are going to go to burning man, be respectful. Follow the leave no trace guidelines and for goodness sake, be nice when someone needs help or just wants to hang out. That's the point!
Just to let you know, I enjoyed the picture of my balloon. I had a blast flying over the city as it slept or was coming alive in the early morning. I flew two days and both about 45 minuts yet I was inflated and giving rides for the remainder of my fuel for a total of 2 hours and many, MANY happy campers. Who got to experience the gift of flight.
Be well and look for me next year LilHal1@sbcglobal.net