We’d just finished setting up camp when the rain started. Yes, rain. Yes, in the desert. And not just a drizzle but a full on downpour. As I was the only one who’d brought a raincoat so I donned it and headed towards the Man while everyone else huddled inside the RV. It was a slow slog and my feet kept caking thick with mud, but I finally reached him just as the rain abated. I climbed to his zenith and got my first glimpse of Black Rock City 2010. Then something really special happened: a rainbow appeared. And not just any rainbow but a double rainbow (and yes, people were quoting the YouTube sensation left and right). It was a magical start to this year’s Burning Man adventure.
The rest of the week was riddled with similarly magical moments – so many it’d be hard to even begin to list them. The best day is by far was September 2 (which incidentally, would have been Pronto’s 14th birthday) where I wandered all over the city taking pictures, meeting sexy and mad people, and attending crazy parties till exhaustion forced me home.
This was my third trip to the event and I was worried I’d be somewhat tired and jaded of it all. Instead I find every attendance to be increasing my affinity for its odd conventions and making me wish each stay lasted longer. There’s just something very primal and human about Burning Man. Amid the dazzling sights and freewheeling fun people become very genuine. You see them, smell them, and observe them in a very uninhibited state. Pretenses fall and it’s easier to be yourself and meet the real selves of others. That personal authenticity is something very easy to get used to and increasingly hard to surrender after just seven days.
Lists
In our camp: Ryan W., Ryan S., Colleen, Mindy, Allison, Herb, Charlie, Will, and myself.
Notable neighbors & acquaintances: Laurie (farm girl strong), Ian (master minimalist), Bart (Belgian and purported mystery man), Brock (sportier of strawberry shortcake do rag), Micah (monkey chanting, smart mystic), Ida (Charlie’s paramour).
Celebrities spotted: Two porn stars, Halcyon (of cockybastard.com fame), Billy Joel (yes that Billy Joel), Tim Ferris (only about 80% sure of this one but I think I spotted him walking along the esplanade).
Favorite Art
I have to say the art this year wasn’t quite up to the standards of the past. Yes the temple and the Woman were fantastic – probably the best ever, and the Man was better than 2008 (but not as good as 2006), but all the secondary art seemed a bit short of previous year’s offerings. Sill, “short” at Burning Man is still worlds above what one encounters in the normal world so I’m hardly complaining. Here are the pieces I really loved the most:
Temple of Flux 1 – This year’s temple was a fantastic organic structure reminiscent of 2006′s giant “Belgian Waffle”.
The Woman – In years past the Woman always took an aesthetic backseat to the Man. Not this year. Her fantastic mesh structure was a marvel and very popular.
Circe Lux – I always like the small and simple pieces and this pair of wings you could stand in front of fit the bill.
Home – A giant globe you could spin and that lit up at night and cast wicket shadows in all directions.
Infinatarium – Although “big iron things spitting fire” usually bore me this metallic garden of gargantuan flaming fronds was a lot of fun to wander thru.
Malvoye the Mentalist – A curious take on the old fortune teller box, this exhibit was manned by a guy who did quite a convincing mechanical man impression. He doled out fortunes and advice with humor and the appropriate robotic demeanor.
- Subway – a subway seat surrounded by speakers on four side that simulated the sound of being on a subway. A simple, effective idea.
Mighty Termitey – the original metropolis: a giant termite mound made of playa dust and paste.
Neverwas Haul – A victorian house with steam punk dressing that drove all over the event. There’s something about seeing a house drive up to you in the desert that’s so, well, Terry Gilliam if you will.
Constellation of One – My favorite part of this mirrored pyramid was the secret door that led to a very comfortable lit room inside. We spent a good amount of time hiding inside and listening to people go by.
- Burnout Bar – The best art car on the playa? That would be hard to say, but this bar-car was as nice as any Georgetown bar and served a mean drink. An oasis of adulthood and civility that was a nice contrast to the rest of the event.
Pictures
To see all my pictures, visit my Flickr account.
