We are thrilled to announce the Temple for Black Rock City 2026: the Temple of the Moon, by James Gwertzman, with support from the Moonlight Collective and the Temple Build Crew.
Inspiration: The Queen of the Night
The Temple of the Moon takes its inspiration from the Queen of the Night, a desert cactus flower that blooms for a single night each year, releasing its fragrance in the moonlight before fading with the dawn. The moon also follows a natural rhythm, waxing and waning in an enduring cycle. Between these two patterns, James found a tender metaphor for our own lives, for Black Rock City, and for the Temple’s annual cycle of appearance and release.
This conceptual connection with the moon extends beyond metaphor. The Temple build will unfold in rhythm with the moon, beginning under a new moon when the crew arrives in Black Rock City to start building, and reaching a full moon during the final stretch of the build. As the moon grows brighter overhead, the Temple will rise beneath it, shaped day by day through collective effort and intention. During the Burning Man event, the moon will slowly wane, returning to a new moon just days after the Temple is released by fire, completing the full cycle.
There is a long tradition of gardens that bloom at night, of sanctuaries oriented to moonrise, and ritual architectures that respond to celestial movement; all share a common invitation to slow down and appreciate beauty in the cooler night air. For example the garden complex Mehtab Bagh, meaning ‘moonlight garden,’ was built as part of the Taj Mahal complex in India. The Temple of the Moon joins this lineage as a contemporary expression of an ancient impulse. The Queen of the Night offers a botanical counterpart to the lunar cycle, blooming briefly under cover of darkness, asking nothing but attention.
Together, flower and moon conceptually make the Temple a celebration of impermanence and immediacy. It serves as a reminder that the fleeting nature of human experience is what makes our short time here on earth so meaningful.
Design and Experience
James and his team designed the Temple using a parametric approach, shifting the creative process from manual drafting to algorithmic generation. This allowed the team to generate complex, organic curves using straight pieces of timber, something that would be nearly impossible to design by hand, and to realize a highly expressive form through careful, intentional construction.
The Temple of the Moon spans approximately 170 feet in diameter, surrounded by a perimeter fence. The fence will incorporate eight gateways, each corresponding to a major phase of the moon, and is envisioned as an opportunity for community participation. Sections of the fence will feature CNC-cut panels with designs submitted by the community, inspired by moon or flower motifs, allowing the threshold of the Temple to reflect many hands and many expressions.
The approach is designed as a journey rather than a direct path. Participants wind between large petal-like forms set into the playa, beginning a gradual transition from the open playa into a more reflective space. The indirect route slows the body and bends the line of travel, easing the transition from the energy of the city into a more contemplative state. The Temple’s curved surfaces will be articulated through closely spaced vertical elements, allowing the form to remain organic. Inspired by the immersive corridors of sculptor Richard Serra, the approach compresses and releases space, encouraging participants to arrive with heightened presence and a softened sense of time.
Inside, five archways open to a central, cathedral-like chamber. Rising through its center is a vertical element reaching 52 feet at its highest point, drawing the eye upward and representing the stamen of the flower. Above, crown petals hinge open at sunset and close again at sunrise, creating a daily ritual that will allow moonlight and starlight to wash over the interior before the space is sheltered once more.
Curved benches offer places to sit together, while five long alcoves provide more intimate spaces for private reflection. The Temple welcomes both solitude and community, honoring the many ways grief and gratitude are experienced. Like the Queen of the Night, the Temple of the Moon offers beauty with impermanence and space without prescription.
For those who’d like to explore the Temple design more deeply, including a fly-through video, visit the website.
The Hands That Build
James Gwertzman comes to the Temple through a lifetime at the intersection of art, technology, and collaborative making. Trained first in theater as a set and lighting designer, he spent decades in the video game industry creating interactive worlds before returning to the physical act of making art.
His recent Burning Man projects, “Prairie of Possibilities” (2022 and 2023) and “The Moonlight Library” (2025, now at Fly Ranch), brought together more than fifty volunteers and helped form the Moonlight Collective, a growing community of artists and builders. Those experiences have shaped a team rooted in collaboration, transparency, and care, preparing them for their next adventure of building a Temple in service to the community.
James has chosen to step away from his technology career to devote himself fully to the 2026 Temple and to pursue his artistic practice full time beyond that. The inspiration to create a Temple for BRC arrived after accompanying a close friend through a profound loss.
As James writes: “I have spent much of my life solving problems, fixing things, being productive — but in the face of that kind of loss, there was nothing to repair. There was only the invitation to stay, to listen, and to bear witness.”
Key collaborators on the Temple project include: architect Annie Locke Sherer, whose parametric design expertise bridges organic form and digital fabrication, project managers Erin O’Brien and Sabrina Miller, Tim Priest as build lead, Morgan McClure as volunteer coordinator, and advisors from across the Temple community and academia. The team will gratefully partner with the Temple Builders Guild and rely on guidance from previous Temple leads, honoring the knowledge and care passed down through decades of Temple building.
Why This Temple, Why Now
After more than two decades of the tradition of the Temple in BRC, each year we ask the question anew: how can this space best hold the evolving needs of our community?
The committee looks for designs that are imaginative, feasible within the constraints of the playa setting, and capable of welcoming thousands of personal offerings in a non-denominational spirit. We look to make sure the chosen design will burn beautifully and safely, that it can follow the Leave No Trace principle, and that the artists have taken environmental sustainability into consideration.
This year we received by far the most applications we’ve ever had in the Temple Grant Program. The Temple of the Moon stood out for the brilliant nature of its concept, reflecting the ephemerality and immediacy of Black Rock City. We appreciated the grace of its spatial journey, and the strength of its team. While the artistic concept is key, the integrity and leadership skills of the lead artist are also an important part of the selection process. James has been an excellent partner through his past projects in BRC and he really stood out for his emotional intelligence, dedication, and leadership skills.
Building It Together
Roll up your sleeves — the Temple of the Moon welcomes your participation! There are lots of ways to pitch in, from hands-on building, to remote support, and installation in BRC. The build will take place at the same location in Oakland, CA as last year’s Temple. No build experience? No problem. The Temple will come to life through many hands. Fill out this form to get involved, and follow along on social media to stay connected.
The Temple grant covers only a portion of the costs, and community support is essential. Be among the first donors and contribute today. The Temple belongs to all of us, and it takes many donations, large and small, to help it become a reality. There will also be a crowdfunding campaign launching soon.
You can contribute written offerings to the Temple, even if you can’t attend BRC. Look for more details in the coming months. Burning Man is something we create together; whether you join the Temple build, bring your own artwork, or support others in their visions, step out of the role as spectator and into active participation. Like the Queen of the Night, the city blooms only briefly. What we make together is the fragrance and memory it leaves behind.
Do You Want to Propose a Temple?
Believe it or not, we are already thinking about 2027, and we are working towards a longer timeline for the Temple artists. If you are inspired and hope to submit a proposal for next year, keep your eyes peeled for more information this spring.
Cover image: rendering of Temple of the Moon by James Gwertzman, night rendering by Annie Locke Scherer
