9 of Burning Man Festival’s wildest artworks

Desert extravaganza Burning Man is underway in Black Rock City – the temporary village in Nevada where over 70,000 ‘Burners’ flock to immerse themselves in a week of culture, art, music and architecture.

With the party in full swing, we bring you the most spectacular artworks responding to this year’s theme ‘ Metamorphoses’, ranging from a fishing village to a 20-ft-tall floating staircase.

Dave Keane, The Folly

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Even if you don’t know Dave Keene, you probably know his work. In 2019, that's @thefollybrc. Get up close with this intricate fishing village/mining town/performance spot gracing the far end of the playa. Doesn't it look amazing? | Photos by @johncurley | #burningman #blackrockcity #brc #10principles #communaleffort #buildingbrc

A post shared by Burning Man Project (@burningman) on Aug 24, 2019 at 7:25pm PDT

Benjamin Langholz, Stone 27

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27 Stones #benjaminlangholz

A post shared by Bjarke ingels (@bjarkeingels) on Aug 27, 2019 at 2:59pm PDT

David Best, The Man

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#burningman #burningman2019

A post shared by Dragi Nah (@draginah) on Aug 28, 2019 at 11:06pm PDT

Chris Carnabuci, Mariposita

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Favourite so far. #eatcookwander #travellerslife #burningmanproject @burningman

A post shared by Rodger Powell (@eatcookwander) on Aug 30, 2019 at 7:09am PDT

Squidsoup, Desert Wave

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Desert Wave at burning man! . . . . #lightart #installation #burningman #desert #wave #immersive

A post shared by Ashley Wilkie (@ashleywilkie_motion) on Aug 27, 2019 at 11:40am PDT

Geordie Van Der Bosch, Temple of Direction

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The main "temple" at Burningman 2019. Ironically, it is very solemn and quite within its walls considering the surroundings. Attendees bring posters or other memorabilia of loved ones that have passed, or even things that represent bad memories or pain, even their guilt or anger. All out for display. This weekend, all of it goes up in flames as everyone watches in silent unity.

A post shared by Greg Nielsen (@gregvnielsen) on Aug 28, 2019 at 4:17pm PDT

Michael Benisty, Sacred Grounds

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Sacred Grounds by Michael Benisty ?? #burningman2019 #sacredgrounds #michaelbenisty

A post shared by David (@davidohin) on Aug 27, 2019 at 10:57pm PDT

Olivia Steele, I Wish You Were Here

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OK OK , Now the Cats out of the bag. This is the official reveal of my playa surprise. ? . +-+- SOME WOMEN ARE LOST IN THE FIRE ?. . . AND SOME ARE BUILT FROM IT +-+- . I’m always playing with fire, but in lieu of doing another neon truism for a 5th consecutive year, I will be using FIRE ? in a new way, the first of it’s kind. I have chosen to trade mediums, swapping hand blown glass filled with neon gas for hand bent iron filled with propane gas. Instead of illuminated words, my handwritten sentiment will be ignited ! Born of a desire to have words literally burning, but never destroyed, This is a new technique I have pioneered with the help of my amazing fire master @tomj_jordan ✨?✨. I’m so excited to reveal the largest edition from my new fire place series on the Playa. . The headline installation in the Art Park will be a large-scale fireplace reading “I Wish You Were Here.” This handwritten sentiment evokes a universal sense of desire and longing, which we can all relate to. Below the surface, it explores the dichotomy of presence vs. absence, the synergy of life and death, the relevance past and present. This fireplace will not only provide warmth in the cold desert nights, it also engages spectators in an emotionally charged moment of presence and remembrance. . . a Tribute to all those great ones we’ve loved and lost , and the ones who we had to leave behind. . I am sorry to disappoint anyone who was looking forward to another big neon this year , but don’t worry, for that I’ve created a stunning neon complaints box inside the Art Park, where you can submit your complaints and concerns ??? . You might be saying, those are really generic words , but trust me, seeing it live in person is really powerful. ??This render doesn’t do it justice. . So looking forward to all the future memories on the horizon ! Can’t wait to be reunited with my playa family and all the surreal adventures and human experiences . I am so fortunate indeed . . . #artpark #oliviasteele #playingwithfire #iwishyouwerehere #burningman #burningmanart #playaart #fire #fireplace #originalisanunderstatement #newshit #neverbeendonebefore #readytoburn #fireplaceseries

A post shared by OLIVIA STEELE || LIGHT ARTIST (@steeleism) on Aug 22, 2019 at 5:07pm PDT

Tahoe Mack, Luis Varela-Rico, and Dana Albany, Monumental Mammoth

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We got our sculpture up at Burning Man. Congratulations to all that had a hand in making this a reality @themonumentalmammoth @danaalbany #protectorsoftulesprings #burningman2019 #burningman #girlscouts #xlsteel

A post shared by Luis Varela-Rico (@luisvarelarico) on Aug 25, 2019 at 6:50am PDT