I did a small art project: decorating my van to fit the Metropolis theme. I arranged magnets in the shape of the skyline. The white tape you see covering the black magnets is glow-in-the-dark-tape, so it was visible at night too.
The weather was erratic and extreme, just as I was warned, but somehow it didn't really hit me until it happened. From overcast skies and rain on the first day, getting so cold overnight that I woke up freezing, needing more clothes despite being in my mummy sleeping bag, to being sunny and blazingly hot (over 100 degrees) during the day for the rest of the week. I set out with my trusty cruiser bike to explore.
The city, which is really more like a campground since everyone is in tents or RVs (or vans!), is arranged like a horseshoe, with the opening to the north. The open area in the center is reserved for art installations. Here's one that I really like, something about the shape that I find meditative. I remember seeing at the Pre-Compression (pre-burning man) party in San Francisco, so I'm pretty sure it's a Bay Area artist(s).
The above piece looks even better at night, since the pipes surrounding the circle and wings are burning! I suppose they are carrying some flamable liquid that is set on fire. Much of the art involves fire or other illumination, but my camera isn't good enough to take night photos (I tried). In the center of everything is The Man. He's burned on Saturday night.
The only vehicles allowed to drive around the playa (once you park your car at your campsite, it stays there all week) are the Art Cars, a.k.a. Mutant Vehicles because they can't just be a car with a crazy paint job, they have to be mutated beyond recognition as a stock vehicle. The largest ones are double-decker and carry passengers, along with speakers, a DJ, a bartender.
The art installations and art cars are two of the major components of Burning Man art experience; another is the theme camps. A few of the camps are run by the BRC staff, such as Arctica where you can buy ice and Center Camp, where you can buy coffee. Coffee and ice is all you can buy in BRC; all other food, water, and supplies you need must be brought with you.
The theme camp below has the Rainforest theme and had hoses with water pumping through to create a misting spray within the tent. This was a very welcome way for people to cool down during the hot afternoons. I guess that was the most difficult part of the trip for me, dealing with the extreme heat in the middle of the day.
I was surprised to see a lighthouse in the desert. :) Very cool. People are so creative.
It was a great trip and the BRV performed admirable, starting up on the first try after sitting in the hot sun for a week, and carrying all the gear and two bicycles without any problems. Goodbye Black Rock City.... I have a feeling I'll be back again sometime.
