Lifestyle7 min(s) read
Published 10:52 05 Sep 2019 GMT
Summer is a season of outdoor music festivals. Whether or not you’re a big fan of them, there is no denying that they’re a summer staple. The warm weather lends itself perfectly to many summer nights just dancing away to tunes with friends. Rounding out the festival season is the legendary Burning Man.
The 2019 festival took place in Nevada in the Black Rock Desert. And just like all the years before, it was fantastic. For those who aren’t quite sure what it is, Burning Man began as a bonfire ritual on the summer solstice back in the 80s. Since then, it has grown to be a massive event of art and performances and overall just full of artistic self-expression. It has become a destination for artists, social media influencers, and celebrities alike. So if you keep scrolling on through, you’ll see some of the this year’s best photos from the desert event.
[post_page_title]This Rock Stairs[/post_page_title]
I don't know what this is called, and I don't think I really need to know either. It's just super cool to look at. It really has no sense or purpose, but that doesn't really matter. I still want to walk in a precarious circle on some rock stairs.
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Someone commented, "And suddenly I hear Daft Punk - Around the World in the air." And yes, we cannot agree more. Let's go around the world on those rocks.
[[pagebreak]][post_page_title]This Egg Person[/post_page_title]
There's no other way to describe this piece other than it looks like someone is being born from an egg. Don't get me wrong, it is still a fascinating work.
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According to a commentator named Sarah Taylor, "The piece is called Mariposita, by NY artist Chris Carnabuci." Looks pretty cool. And I'm not the only one to think it looks like an egg. Other commentators wrote things like, "Eggs are a common symbol for fertility. Very nice work," and "Literally, breaking outta her shell!"
[[pagebreak]][post_page_title]The Electricity of it All[/post_page_title]
No doubt one of the coolest pieces so far. This is definitely is what one would call electrifying. Yes, sorry for the bad pun. I'll show myself out.
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Most everyone who saw this picture thought it was pretty awesome. However, most likened it to Tesla, with many saying things like "Tesla lives!" and "Tesla would be proud." There is no doubt that Tesla probably would've loved to have seen this in person at Burning Man - in fact, he probably would have brought it there himself.
[[pagebreak]][post_page_title]These Shiny Sculptures[/post_page_title]
Makes me think of two people in love. Doesn't it? What does it evoke for you?
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Apparently, according to one comment by Deena Salzman, the sculpture is named "Broken but Together." So you can totally picture a broken relationship that is still tied together by love.
[[pagebreak]][post_page_title]Man in a Pink Ruffled Skirt[/post_page_title]
Talk about an Instagram aesthetic. I am always trying to capture cool looks for my Instagram, but I usually fall short. So I stick to taking pictures of inanimate objects.
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But this guy is killing it. I could never look this cool without looking like a potato.
[[pagebreak]][post_page_title]Embracing Your Inner Goddess Warrior[/post_page_title]
Aside from my jealously at this woman's fantastically chiseled abs (I like bread and wine too much), there is no denying that this is another great Instagram shot of living your best life. That sculpture in the background is the perfect thing to pose with.
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There is no denying that this particular piece is also very evocative of the film "Coco." The creation is that of Mexican artist Arturo Gonzalez, and is titled "Transmutations." Very, very gorgeous and the alebrije-style does hold a special significance for me as a Mexican-American myself.
[[pagebreak]][post_page_title]The Burning Man Himself[/post_page_title]
The whole point of Burning Man is to eventually burn a giant statue. Like I said, the festival was founded on a bonfire premise way back when.
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So obviously, they have to burn the statue. And this is quite a spectacle to behold. If it's this cool-looking in pictures, can you imagine what it must be like in person?
[[pagebreak]][post_page_title]More Statues in Love[/post_page_title]
There is no denying that the desert background is what helps to enhance pictures. It gives it that Instagram-worthy brightness. This statue looks so good as a photo it must look even better in person.
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One commentator, Noel Benavente said it best when he wrote his comment that said, "This is beautiful, I would love to have it in my front yard." Couldn't agree with you more Noel. I'd be the envy of the neighborhood.
[[pagebreak]][post_page_title]The Burning Man Camp[/post_page_title]
If you have ever been to Burning Man have you ever wandered around the premise and wondered what it must look like as a whole? Well, wonder no more. Here is an aerial shot.
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It is indeed huge. And also quite spread out in an organized fashion - like a perfect giant C in the middle of the desert.
[[pagebreak]][post_page_title]This Magical Elephant[/post_page_title]
Probably a favorite art piece of mine, this elephant shows some incredible craftsmanship. There's no doubt that it is made from spare parts of junk and everything, but it's pretty cool.
It's a great example of how one man's trash can be another man's treasure. It was definitely brought to life as a metal gem.
[[pagebreak]][post_page_title]A Maze Within a Face[/post_page_title]
At first glance, it's just a face. But like all the weirdly wonderful artistic creations, some are not always as they seem. Apparently, this one contains a maze inside of it.
How much does that remind you of symbolism for taking a trip into the human mind? Ok, maybe I'm reading into that one too much.
[[pagebreak]][post_page_title]These Bees...or Flies[/post_page_title]
While the Burning Man festival is well-known for always promoting radical self-reliance and self-expression, in addition to creating a sense of communal effort and civic responsibility. It has been known to be respectful towards the environment by calling on all festival participants to fully participate in being environmentally-friendly.
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Some of these art pieces clearly reflect the whole environment, like this one. The only question is, what kind of insect is it exactly? I'm curious.
[[pagebreak]][post_page_title]This Instagram Look[/post_page_title]
While Burning Man wasn't necessarily found on fashion, looks and style certainly factor into it. The festival is all about self-expression, so what better way for someone to express themselves than through their clothes?
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I don't know about you, but this woman is definitely serving us "Mad Max: Fury Road" realness. And we are living for it, darling!
[[pagebreak]][post_page_title]Egg Shell at Night[/post_page_title]
Here is the eggshell statue thing, but at night. It is so cool how different something can look going from day to night.
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Just take this one for example. The way the lights play off it is way different to it standing in the desert in the middle of the day with the blue skies in the background. I personally like the nighttime aesthetic much more.
[[pagebreak]][post_page_title]Post-Apocalyptic World, Dat You?[/post_page_title]
Yes, it's all part of the Burning Man effect, but this post-apocalyptic looking construction could very well be a glimpse into our inevitable future if we don't tackle climate change.
While it's all fun and games for a weekend riding around on motorbikes, pretending you're in a live-action Mad Max, it would a totally different reality to actually live it every day. So let's all remember to be more environmentally conscious, shall we?
[[pagebreak]][post_page_title]El Pulpo[/post_page_title]
Commentator Sarah Taylor sure seems to know a lot about the works featured in Burning Man. Regarding this fiery monstrosity, she wrote, "El Pulpo Mecanico, built by Duane Flatmo and his crew in Northern California. El Pulpo debuted in 2011, then retired in 2017, and then came back again this year. He is one of the most beloved art cars in Burning Man history. Got to take a ride on it in 2014 and I tell you what, you feel like an absolute rock star riding on that beast."
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Wow, Sarah, thanks for the information. You've made my job a lot easier on this one.
[[pagebreak]][post_page_title]Down in Front, Can You Move, Please?[/post_page_title]
I know that Burning Man is the perfect place for Instagram influencers - or wannabe influencers - to go and get their perfect shot, but I really want to see this sculpture.
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The work is impeccable, and it's hard to conceive that someone actually spent time making that. So for now, please move so I can bask in the full glory of the real work of art. Nice vest though.
[[pagebreak]][post_page_title]Living the Mad Max Fantasy[/post_page_title]
So it's safe to say, that Burning Man has a lot of "Mad Max" style to it. Perhaps it's because it's out in the desert it just so happens to inspire the artists to think more post apocalyptically.
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Whether it's a conscious decision or not, the Burning Man attendees definitely waste no time in giving us their best "Mad Max" poses.
[[pagebreak]][post_page_title]Alebrijes at Night[/post_page_title]
What's better than this picture during the day? This picture at night. The color of the sculpture is in no way diminished by the dusk. It's just as cool-looking as it would be during the day.
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Instagram user Yaqizheng, the one who captured this shot, did an excellent job. It's truly a stunning photo.
[[pagebreak]][post_page_title]Cookies![/post_page_title]
Nothing says childhood nostalgia quite like a giant Cookie Monster out in the middle of the Nevada desert. It looks a little out of place among some of the other things we've witnessed, but it's still an interesting concept that someone actually built a giant Cookie Monster.
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It's on wheels, so it's safe to assume that it can drive around Burning Man? If so - and that would be totally awesome to see - the question is does it also give out free cookies? Asking for a friend.
[[pagebreak]][post_page_title]El Pulpo Up Close[/post_page_title]
Much like previous posts, there is always another way of seeing the works of art. Here is an up-close picture of El Pulpo.
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The construction of the sculpture is incredible. And when combined with the fire element, it is a downright magical experience.
[[pagebreak]][post_page_title]Futuristic Shuttle Bus[/post_page_title]
Is this what people are transported around in while attending the Burning Man festival? If so, count me in for next year.
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It's something so simple, but with the neon lights, it's just so cool. Can I get mine changed to pink though?
[[pagebreak]][post_page_title]Queen of the Desert[/post_page_title]
Now, this is the type of Burning Man photo that I would be attempting to take for my Instagram. However, unlike this woman, I would be failing miserably.
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She's Instagram goals. If I were to attempt this look I would be the unfortunate reality.
[[pagebreak]][post_page_title]What a Headache[/post_page_title]
Can you imagine wearing that hairdo all day? Neither can I. Applause girl, you are killing it in your photo.
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Much like the previous post, if I were to try to recreate something like this at Burning Man I would only end up looking stupid. God, I so wish I could be cool.
[[pagebreak]][post_page_title]Couple Goals[/post_page_title]
What's better than a Burning Man selfie? A Burning Man selfie with your significant other. This duo is giving us nuclear radiation desert realness, and it's awesome.
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Besides being in awe of the artwork that was built for the festival, we also need to take a moment and remember that the people attending also put a lot of thought and effort into what they wear. Many of them as we have seen, are walking works of art themselves with the artistry that's gone into their ensembles.
[[pagebreak]][post_page_title]Self Expression[/post_page_title]
There are few places where you're able to fully express yourself without drawing judgment from others. Burning Man is one of those places.
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It strongly encourages people to express themselves however they see fit. And what this guy is expressing is super fun. We are really loving the false lashes.
[[pagebreak]][post_page_title]Plane in the Desert[/post_page_title]
Again, Sarah Taylor for the win. The very active commentator gave us another nugget of Burning Man wisdom with this next photo.
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While many people were wondering why and how this plane ended up in the middle of the Nevada desert, Sarah Taylor had this to say, "That plane is an entire saga unto itself, and burners still have very mixed feelings about it. Here's the project website. And if you google 'burning man 747' you'll find a wealth of articles about all the drama surrounding it over the last few years."
[[pagebreak]][post_page_title]Bumps in the Desert[/post_page_title]
It's never too early to get your child turned on to the artsy, free-spirited fun that comes with Burning Man as this pregnant mom-to-be is showing us.
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We can only imagine that when the child is old enough to attend the festival it would be so cute to see the duo back and having fun in the desert together.
[[pagebreak]][post_page_title]The Ultimate Burning Man Picture[/post_page_title]
Nothing quite sums up a great weekend in the desert like this picture. It has everything that you'd want in an Instagram post: lighting, pose, the desert, a great background...need I go on?
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Although not everyone sees it like that. Regarding this picture, someone commented, "Ugh, this picture reminds me of the conversation we had last year about Burning Man - how many of the attendees are legit and how many are models that just dropped in for pix. Yes, I'm talking to you, lady with your butt sticking out."
[[pagebreak]][post_page_title]Influencer Pose[/post_page_title]
If you go to Burning Man, you kind of need to get a picture posed in front of something on fire. I mean if you don't, did you really even go?
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But much like the previous post, not everyone was feeling the Burning Man aesthetic of this picture. One user who goes by the username NWB simply said, "Insta model, influencer....yawn." Guess you can't keep the influencers away. But can you blame them? The festival is full of great photo opts.
