Here are some quick stories from the week, in hopes of giving you a little sense of what’s been happening at Burning Man.
When the event starts, it is impossible to keep up with. The Roshomon effect is especially strong, except we’re not touching various parts of an elephant, but a fire-breathing Tyranosaurus.
The day starts early and ends late, it is full of both giant spectacles and tender intimacy. All things great and small.
So from our narrow little perspective, a peephole view of the past few days.
A sliver-y moon brightned the eveing skies on FridayErica drank a margarita from the end of the ZebracornChris and his ZebracornAnd then out of nowhere you meet a supermodelScott London and Sydney Erthal, whose wonderful new Burning Man book, written by Jennifer Raiser, is tearing up the Amazon chartsLittle kids seem to adapt to the desert extremely well, especially when they have experienced and self-reliant Burner parents“Are those heavy?” we asked. “My shoulders are killing me,” she repliedThe Lamplighters off to light the lanterns around the city
Michael Christianson’s keyhole piece reflects the area around Rod’s Road“Cosmic Praise” by Douglas Ruuska of Brighton, Ma. One of our favorite pieces of art on the playa this yearJanky mutant vehicles are always prowling the desertA touchy time-outDancing in the dust
The final hours of the Alien Siege Machine. In the evening burn, pyrotechnics were taken to a new level of entertainment. Outstanding!Amazing-looking people emerge from the dust on a regular basis“Embrace” was set ablaze early Friday morning“Embrace” just before the fires were litThe Volcano burned as Hawaiian dancers celebrated around the perimeterThe DPW bucket was especially largeEpona took the ALS challengeThe DPW had a parade, and it was hot and funAndrew Johnstone got marriedThe crew at the Center Cafe are very very niceMirthe acquired tickets in the Oh My God sale while she and her boyfriend were still in Amsterdam. They decided to come and spend the next three months in the States.Matthew is doing a performance piece in which he had himself dropped at the Gates of Black Rock City with nothing but the clothes on his back. When we saw him he had a shopping cart filled with goodies, and he offered us water and almonds. But this is not advised for newcomers. Not at all.Jenn is a documentary filmmaker who has spent time in Israel, Palestine, and now Burning Man. A remarkably accomplished 26-year-oldOur friend and artist Bunnie Reiss to refuge in the center cafeFlash visited with Larry at First Camp, after Mr. Harvey gave his state of the Burn address. This is an in-between time for him: the current theme is about to hit its peak, and in the meantime he’s engaged in formulating the theme (and Man design) for next yearWe talked about photography with the Black Rock Scouts. Then the kids went out and took amazing photos. (Photo by Brooke La Valle)
John Curley (that's me) has been Burning since the relatively late date of 2004, and in 2008 I spent the better part of a month on the playa, documenting the building and burning of Black Rock City in words and pictures. I loved it, and I've been doing it ever since.
I was a newspaper person in a previous life, and I spent many years at the San Francisco Chronicle. At the time I left, in 2007, I was the deputy managing editor in charge of Page One and the news sections of the paper. Since then, I've turned a passion for photography into a second career. I shoot for editorial, commercial and private clients. I've also taught a little bit, including two years at UC Berkeley's Graduate School of Journalism and a year at San Francisco State University.
I live on the San Mateo coast, just south of San Francisco in California.
Black Rock Scouts is such a great idea, it makes me want to bring my two younger kids next year. My oldest kid? He’s on the playa right now, his first year. Damn, might be a family affair next year.
zomg, even YOU call him michael christianson!!! the best i heard this year was mitchell christianson… hilarious. it’s michael CHRISTIAN. period. no son. :)
Hey John!! I was the biker who stopped to talk to you and erica out by the man during the dust storm on monday. You snapped a couple of shots of me riding towards you. Wondering if they came out?? Would love to see it!!
I’m so glad someone got a shot of you with the Scouts! Adorable, and they were really taking some great shots!
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Black Rock Scouts is such a great idea, it makes me want to bring my two younger kids next year. My oldest kid? He’s on the playa right now, his first year. Damn, might be a family affair next year.
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Gorgeous photos as always!
I was one of the leaders at the Scouts session. It was wonderful to watch them go from apathy to engagement when they shared their photos with you.
I’m a long-time John Curley fan and it was great meeting you.
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zomg, even YOU call him michael christianson!!! the best i heard this year was mitchell christianson… hilarious. it’s michael CHRISTIAN. period. no son. :)
HA!
ps, love you, love your work, john curleyson!
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Hey John!! I was the biker who stopped to talk to you and erica out by the man during the dust storm on monday. You snapped a couple of shots of me riding towards you. Wondering if they came out?? Would love to see it!!
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