THE ART OF THE BURN: BURNING MAN 2015

Every year Burning Man hosts some of the most progressive, bleeding edge artists and designers whose art and influence reach far beyond playa. The aesthetic of this years burn teetered on the edge of mystical and mischievous. The theme of this years festival was "The Carnival Mirrors". True to the theme, the art explored the range of human emotion and contemplation with childlike wonder, and deep reflection. Each art piece expressing impossible complexity and meaning, in deep contrast with the harsh otherwise empty desert. The Burning Man festival is held in Black Rock City, Nevada. It is within the heart of the desert and far away from any city or town, or signs of humanity in general. This year, Entheo Zine explores five of the most thought provoking pieces at the event.

HYBYCOZO-"DEEP THOUGHT"

Hybycozo's "Deep Thought" project was a beautiful, intracatley crafted 3D shape constructed of sixty gold laser cut filigreed panels. The artists of the complex and contemplative refuge of sacred geometry are Serge Beaulieu and Yelena Filipchuck. The couple had a design at Burning Man last year as well. This years design crowdfunded, and each donation had a promise of a COZO gift. Many patrons who donated got to get a piece of the COZO art in the form of jewelry, art prints and miniture sculptures.

"Deep Thought" photo by Sunny Strasburg

ALEXANDER MILOV-"LOVE"

Milov's moving sculpture was one that depicted the struggle of communication beyond our limitations. The sculpture depicted two adults, constructed of metal cage structure, with their backs turned to each other in pained anguish. Within the cage person, a small child, constructed of glowing white. The two children within reached out to touch each other, and yearned to speak. Their fingers almost touching. Since the burn, this image has gone viral, and certainly will become yet another iconic art piece of Burning Man.

"Love" Unknown Photographer

"Love" Unknown Photographer

KEVIN CLARK- "MEDUSA MADNESS"

Clark's amazing and intricate sculpture was an enormous fire breathing spectacle that was simply breathtaking to behold. Playing with the themes of vanity, danger and mythos, Kevin Clark's sculpture was a grand point of interest on the playa.

"Medusa Maddness" by Unknown Photographer

MARCOS COCHRANE-"R-EVOLUTION"

Cochrane's sculpture, named Deja Solis, was the final of a three part series that was displayed at prior burns. Deja Solis is a gargantuan figure emoting different themes. The sculpture triptych, which includes the iconic "Bliss Dance" (highlighted as last years viral image from Burning Man) and "Truth is Beauty". R-Evolution depicts a women, standing tall and grounded, eye's closed, palms open, feet firmly planted in the desert. The sculpture is constructed of metal cage, LED lights, wood, mesh and fabric. R-Evolution expresses presence, mindfulness, and awareness of the moment. Also, ever so subtley, the sculpture took long, deep breaths.

"R-Evolution" by Unknown Photographer

THE DREAMERS GUILD-"THE TEMPLE OF PROMISE"

The Temple of Promise is the most sacred and reflective space at the burn. The Dreamers Guild Temple was beautifully constructed with a seventy foot archway, which winded within itself through the desert sandscape to a tapered seven foot tall end point. Within the temples shell like cavernous walls there were areas that created small private spaces and altars. From the heart of the space, opened a grand hall which contained three trees with barren branches, where participants were encouraged to affix ribbons with handwritten messages on them. At the end of the burn, the tree's were full of sentiment, blessings and humanities well wishes. 

"The Temple of Promise" by Unknown Photographer

MICHEAL GARLINGTON-"TEMPLE OF CONFESSIONS"

Garlingtons mystically grotesque temple stood fifty feet tall in stark contrast with the bleak desert that surrounded it. The construction of this temple was similar to ancient Thai and Indian temples. It was built of a mish mash of mixed media that included wood, pained panels, mirrors, paper and clay. The temple offered a dark space of reflection with small, hidden, shadowbox like area's that contained small trinkets and relics from the artists own collection. The space offered a large "confessional" area where festival goers could reflect or interact with each other and the art.

 "Temple of Confessions" By Unknown Photographer

"Temple of Confession" by Unknown Photographer

Burning Man is touted as the Festival of Festivals in the US. The art is always amazing, and usually the theme's and aesthetics carry over to "default world" after some time and adaption. 

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