A striking view of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge dominates the view from Baker Beach in San Francisco. It’s a romantic spot, a popular place to get married. Folks also get naked; it’s a nude beach. It was here that Larry Harvey and his friend Jerry James decided to host a bonfire in honor of the summer solstice in 1986. As to why they chose a nine-foot wooden effigy of a man (and his dog) to burn, Harvey remains mysteriously mum. Whatever the reason, it was out of the flames that Burning Man was born. Larry and his friends had such a great time they vowed to come back the next year with a bigger Man.
By 1990 the Man had grown to 40 feet tall and word of mouth had guaranteed that a sizable crowd was present for the solstice bonfire on Baker Beach. It wasn’t to be. Golden Gate Park police had decided that burning the Man posed a fire hazard to the Park and City. A single Park Ranger rolled in on a motorbike and said no go. You can’t be too careful, right? Fires were raging across Southern California.
The Man was taken apart and returned to the vacant lot he called home. The people who had come to watch the burn were angry. This might have marked the end of Burning Man, except for a bit of synchronicity. The Man had caught the attention of a group in San Francisco known as the Cacophony Society, an organization that specialized in outrageous pranks and strange outings known as zone trips. Several of its members, including Co-founder John Law, suggested to Larry that the place to burn the Man was in the remote Black Rock Desert of Northern Nevada. It would make an ideal zone trip— far out in the language of the 60’s. A Ryder Truck was rented for the Labor Day weekend and stuffed with the man plus personal gear. Cars were loaded with people and some 80-100 Burners headed off into the desert. The rest, as they say, is history.
Much had changed when I arrived at Black Rock City in 2004. Old timers spoke nostalgically about the good old days when there had been far fewer people and no rules. They were right; there were more people and more rules, but as far as I could tell things were still pretty rowdy— and magical. I was impressed. So I have been going back ever since. One of my first activities on returning to Black Rock City is to make the journey out to the Man. Since Larry dictates his dimensions, the Man always looks the same. Up until now, however, he has been perched on a different base each year, as shown in the examples below.
This year, for the first time since 1995, the Man stood alone and had gained skin. He was magnificent, standing some ten stories or 100 feet tall. A group of tents, representing a souk/market place surrounded him. The souk reflected the 2014 Burning Man theme, Caravansary, and was supposed to be reminiscent of the ancient markets that grew up wherever caravan routes crossed.
I thought The Burning Man celebration came from the 1970 movie, which is set in Wales.
Wicker Man– Larry Harvey claims he never saw the movie until after he had already created the Burning Man. –Curt
My goodness, the Man looks handsome this year. He almost looks like he’s wearing pinstripes. Now, how weird would that be?
I enjoyed the refresher on the history, and I really like the photos. The Burning Man is impressive, but that cow touches my heart and my funny bone at the same time. The best photo in this batch? From my perspective, the view of the Man at the end of the Avenue. It’s just great.
We thought the same thing about the Man, Linda. He was our all time favorite. Burned like a charm, too. 🙂 As for the cow, I always love strange and humorous.
Three main avenues lead out to the Man, and are always interesting, looking both ways. Lamp lighters light the lamps each night. –Curt
Lamp lighters! Oh, my. I’m hearing one of my all-time favorites.
Nice tune, Linda. Thanks. I searched my memory banks. Maybe it was rolling around in there somewhere. 🙂 Lighting the lamps at Burning Man is quite a ceremony. I will post some photos on my blog later. Anyway, there’s a whole camp devoted to lighting the lamps.–Curt
Great to hear about how it all came about. Serendipity indeed. Love that first shot.
Serendipity indeed. Thats the word I should have used. 🙂 –Curt
I’d sure love to go to see Burning Man some day, but it’s probably not in the cards for us. Fortunately we have our Wild Goose Festival nearby.
I didn’t know the history. Fascinating. I would’ve guessed the origins of BM were in the 1960s. Thanks for sharing these scenes.
Glad you enjoyed the blog. Next: the Man is burned. So what is the Wild Goose Festival about? –Curt
Lovely… I need a man…
One that is going to be burned up? 🙂 –Curt
I love the back-story of BM.. Just goes to show that we should entertain all ideas for who knows how it will eventually play out.. Loving the photos and looks like it was another great year in the desert 🙂
That it was Lynne… although cut a bit short by the rain. There’s no question that Larry Harvey is a visionary. –Curt
I love the photo of Man in the streetlamp avenue – a great mixture of the monumental and the quixotic.
Always one of my favorite views at Burning Man, Hilary. –Curt
Curt, what an unique history… Started in SF? I had no idea… but perhaps you need to get Peggy a vehicle that has more than one horsepower… I mean, one woman power. 🙂 If I may ask, how hot did it get out there?
Ah, but what power she has, Koji. 🙂 As for temperature, it was relatively mild this year. I don’t think it got out of the 90s. –Curt
…and… Those lamp posts… Each one had to be brought in and setup, right? Wow.
Every year Koji. Burning Man has its own, mainly volunteer, Department of Public Works that starts setting up Black Rock City several weeks in advance of the event.
I like the ostrich men.
Interesting, aren’t they. I also found some unusual paintings in the Center Camp that I will feature in my next blog (after the one I put up today).
About 100 feet tall, impressive!
He’s a big boy. 🙂
different, cool, intriguing………….. great story and photos
Thanks so much. Burning Man is definitely a fascinating place. –Curt
I love your friend’s shot with the sun behind his head. Just the perfect angle.
Tom is quite good at seeing shots like this. I am luck I have access to his, Don’s and Peggy’s photos for my blog. I make sure I download all of them before leaving Burning Man. –Curt