Internationally-renowned American sculptor David Best and a group of friends first built a sacred temple out of reclaimed wood and waste from a local toy manufacturer at Burning Man in 2000. Since then, he has been involved in the design of 9 temples.  Best explores the important collaborative and participatory nature of his works and the experience of planning, building, and burning these hallowed spaces to the ground in an emotional spectacle of light and heat.

In 1986, in what can be described as a spontaneous act of self-expression, Larry Harvey and a friend built and burned a wooden figure on Baker Beach in San Francisco. Three decades later, this annual event has made its mark on history.  Burning Man is now a global force for creative culture on six continents, and in more than 50 countries.  Join Harvey, in conversation with Nevada Museum of Art Executive Director and CEO, and Burning Man Project Board Member David Walker, as they reflect on the growth of Burning Man, and what Harvey sees as the next phase of the evolution of Burning Man.

Kerry Rohrmeier received her PhD from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2013, and is a lecturer in Geography and Global Studies at San Jose State University.  Formerly a professional land use planner, Rohrmeier conducts fieldwork at Black Rock City. In this talk, Rohrmeier explores the construction of innovative, creative public and private spaces that generate cultural questions about community values, social relationships, and city growth.

Cultural anthropologist Deborah A. Boehm and archaeologist Carolyn L. White from the University Nevada, Reno will discuss their multi-year, cross-disciplinary approach to studying Black Rock City and its inhabitants. Hear stories about the information they collect and analyze to understand the city and community of Burning Man.

Marian Goodell first attended Burning Man in 1995, and in 1997 co-founded Black Rock City, LLC. Marian developed Burning Man’s media policies and built its communications team. Today, as CEO of the nonprofit Burning Man Project, Marian oversees 100 employees and a $40 million operating budget in an effort to extend Burning Man’s culture into the wider world.  Join Marian for an afternoon exploring her favorite Burning Man films, shorts and documentary clips.

Leo Villareal is a pioneer in the use of LEDs and custom computer software and is best known for his light sculptures and architectural, site-specific works. He first attended Burning Man in 1994, which inspired him to begin creating immersive experiences on a larger scale. Join Villareal as he discusses his long association with Burning Man, his San Francisco Bay Lights installation on the San Francisco Bay Bridge, and his recently-awarded commission to illuminate seventeen bridges over the Thames River in London.

Harrod Blank has been making and documenting Art Cars for 35 years.  When he brought his art car “Oh My God!” to Burning Man in 1993 he also began filming on what would become an epic film project about the event 25 years in the making.  Harrod established Art Car Camp in 1994 and over the years transportation at the event has changed immensely. Join Harrod to explore the Art Car legacy on and off the playa, in conversation with Philo Northrup, who co-founded ArtCar Fest with Harrod in 1997.

John Law is an American artist, prankster, and an original member of the Cacophony Society and Suicide Club. Along with Michael Mikel and Larry Harvey, Law co-founded The Burning Man Festival in the early 1990s. Law has not attended Burning Man since 1996. Join the San Francisco native for a lively exploration of Bay Area cultural movements that led to the infamous Cacophony Society Zone Trip #4 to Nevada’s Black Rock Desert on Labor Day weekend 1990.

Jewelry epitomizes the spirit of Burning Man’s gift economy and honors the creative spirit of those who make it.  Join Christine “Ladybee” Kristen for a conversation about her personal collection of jewelry, the makers featured in her collection, and her recent book The Jewelry of Burning Man.

Your world is a façade created by human sensory and social perception. There are millions of other species who are having a much different experience of this world. Jessica Rath considers how the aesthetics of agricultural production and human containment of the landscape effect non-human species. Join Jessica as she premiers her experimental film, Last of the Herd, and discusses artistic process using the objects, photographs, and sketches on exhibit in the Center for Art + Environment.