One of the 10 principles of Burning Man is decommodification. In order to preserve the spirit of gifting, the Burning Man community seeks to create an environment that is unmediated by commercial sponsorships, transactions, or advertising. Participants are encouraged to hide or alter any commercial logos.
One of my favorite art installations this year: The Folly. An old shanty village of towers, bridges and little western store fronts cobbled together from salvaged and reclaimed lumber from old San Francisco victorians and reborn in the desert. Sweeping views of the playa from above and little surprises hidden throughout its walls.
Spent a lot of time with friends at the Mayan Warrior camp lounging and chatting in the presence of my talented friend Sabino Guisu‘s art. The vibes at this camp and whenever we found their art car around on the playa were always just right.
Entering The Temple of Direction took my breath away. I was instantly brought to tears walking through this sacred space and seeing all the beautiful expressions of love and grief. I had the highest honor of delivering a memory board for my dear friend Carrie that she made for her beloved Brandon.
One of my favorite parts about Burning Man: Radical Self-Expression. This is the idea that we have the opportunity to offer our individual gifts through true, authentic expression of self. On the playa, the only thing you have to be is yourself. Whoever and whatever you are, at the core, without the labels that so often define us. By showing up fully as you are, you offer the unique gift of YOU.
Witnessing artists from all over the world pour their energy, heart and passion into works that often time take months and years to create then to burn them to ash at the end of the week is the ultimate example of the beauty in letting go and surrendering to the unknown.