The festival of fire flooded. Burning Man 2023, a desert of mud
05/09/2023.
[Black Rock City - NV] USA
metalocus, ANTONIO CORREDERA
metalocus, ANTONIO CORREDERA
The Burning Man 2023 edition, which began on August 27 and was scheduled to conclude yesterday, has had an unexpected end. The festival, an event held annually in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada, United States, brings together thousands of people each year to create the “temporary metropolis” of Black Rock City.
A circular grid that activates pavilions, and installations, displays large-scale works of art, generating a surreal human congregation, around a large central space in which the burning of the "Man" takes place as the closing ritual of the festival.
This year the theme was “Animalia”, an exploration of all forms of life, real or imaginary, which themed pavilions, and installations and enlivened the festival site.
A circular grid that activates pavilions, and installations, displays large-scale works of art, generating a surreal human congregation, around a large central space in which the burning of the "Man" takes place as the closing ritual of the festival.
This year the theme was “Animalia”, an exploration of all forms of life, real or imaginary, which themed pavilions, and installations and enlivened the festival site.
Rainbow Man 2023. Photograph courtesy of Jamen Percy
Burning Man 2023. Photograph courtesy of Jamen Percy
An image from drone video shows vehicles attempting to leave the Burning Man festival on Sunday, September 3. Imgae courtesy of CNN
Burning Man on Sunday, September 3. Image courtesy of CNN
Burning Man 2023. Photograph courtesy of Jamen Percy
Museum of No Spectators Returns to Burning Man in 2023. Photograph by Lonnie Graham
Burning Man 2023. Photograph courtesy of Mark Fromson
An image from drone video shows vehicles attempting to leave the Burning Man festival on Sunday, September 3. Imgae courtesy of CNN
Burning Man 2023. Imgae courtesy of CNN
Burning Man 2023. Imgae courtesy of USA Today
Climate change affects the entire planet and, like what happened with a "dana" over the Iberian Peninsula, generated numerous floods during the last four days. The northwestern area of Nevada was hit by unexpected and heavy rains that have flooded the desert, causing the entire festival environment to become a large quagmire, which impedes mobility, even making it difficult to travel on foot, given that the mud reaches the ankles.
70,000 campers remain trapped as the exits were closed by authorities and organizers, given that the tracks have become impassable roads for large vehicles, many of them already stuck in the mud in the first attempts to leave the place, according to CNN.
Burning Man 2023. Photograph courtesy of Jamen Percy.
Playa is the term used to describe dry, sunken lake beds in deserts, where water evaporates rather than runs off, and even a small amount of rain can quickly soak a large area.
The ritual burning had to be postponed until conditions were safe, given the impossibility of moving security means and vehicles for the burning. Organizers advised attendees to shelter in place until the ground has dried enough to drive safely.
70,000 campers remain trapped as the exits were closed by authorities and organizers, given that the tracks have become impassable roads for large vehicles, many of them already stuck in the mud in the first attempts to leave the place, according to CNN.
Burning Man 2023. Photograph courtesy of Jamen Percy.
Playa is the term used to describe dry, sunken lake beds in deserts, where water evaporates rather than runs off, and even a small amount of rain can quickly soak a large area.
The ritual burning had to be postponed until conditions were safe, given the impossibility of moving security means and vehicles for the burning. Organizers advised attendees to shelter in place until the ground has dried enough to drive safely.
More information
Venue / Localitation
Black Rock Desert, Pershing County, Nevada, USA.
Dates
From August 27 through September 4, 2023.
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