All of the energy focused on Burning Man this time of year inspired me to peruse the archives and scan a few of the black and white negatives and color slides which I created at Burning Man 1994 and 1995. The total attendance in 1995 was no more than 2000, but who was counting? Aside from the freaky fact that this was 16 years ago and how could I have done anything as an adult that long ago, it’s interesting to contrast how low-key the event was back then with how it is now. At the time, the event felt like an oversized group camp of SF alternatives, art car enthusiasts, nudists, techno-hippies and people who like to fire off guns and rockets in the desert…oh yeah, and PARTY!
I have not been back since 1995 but major news outlets report that the spectacle has mushroomed to over 50,000 people with an impressive infrastructure. I have been fascinated that Burning Man has not only survived over the years, but grown into a world-renowned off-beat festival. Kudos to Larry Harvey and his peeps for having the wherewithal to make it happen. I imagine that these images look somewhat quaint to those who have been in recent years. I remember when we drove onto the Playa the first time and had trouble finding Black Rock City!
An art car serves as a platform from which to watch a the Burning Man Fashion Show in 1994.
The art cars really drove the creative spirit of the event at that time…
The infamous "Shark Car" takes another victim.
Post-rain Playa mud is good for the pores.
Everyone hold hands. Very Spiral Dance.
RV surfing…only certain places on earth you can do this.
Mobile Party Unit
Long exposure walk to the man at night.
The Man was on the ground back then…
Before The Man burns.
Nuclear Blast Site
And of course “the burn” after which people ran through the burning embers…I can only image this with 50,000 people….probably no running through the embers.
The Man burns. Pagan fire ritual ensues...
Every year I think that this will be the year that I return to Burning Man, but because my work life and life in general have become much busier, it just hasn’t happened….I always seem to have three shooting gigs the week of…..maybe next year….hope to see you there!
