We burned the Man’s Brain again this year! A project by Burning Dan (Dan Miller). Swipe thru all 20 for the punchline 🔥
Dan came up with the idea of The Man’s brain after the founder of BM Larry Harvey (his former roommate) had a stoke in his brain.
“The man now sits on a pedestal. People used to interact with the man by raising him up with ropes. People now interact with the brain by writing thoughts to put inside.”
This year was especially wild as we were parked in front of Long Feng (a new 5M rave truck) It felt like 1000 people were dancing in front of our art car after the man fell.
We escorted the Man’s Brain to the embers, it took 6 of us to carry it. We placed the brain dead center, enveloped in walls of heat.
Dan’s ignition team was no where to be found I so set a piece of wood to burn, while Jason and I used charred wood to shovel embers into the brain with fire dancers energetically supporting.
That got the thoughts burning inside, but it wasn’t enough to catch. So I returned to the piece of wood I’d set aside, which was now flaming.
I’ll never forget carrying that burning sword 10 steps before stabbed into the brain. Walking back to the car I really felt like I had touched the fire creation itself. Embracing immediacy, radical self reliance, communal effort and participation all at once.
Not long after, tears still streaming down my face from the heat while standing on the car, a woman who helped build it handed me a fresh S’more she had cooked on the burning brain. I think her name was Shiva.
I took none of these photos, and am so grateful for the documentation by Robert Sloan and others. I don’t normally share much from the event or otherwise but am working on being seen. Maybe also selfishly to nudge other friends to join us on an adventure someday!
The burns on my hand served as a great physical reminder of the experience, and watching them heal over 3 weeks matched the slow reacclimation to the default world.
Dan says “the brain exists to give the man purpose”, I’m infinitely grateful for the inspiration.
#MillerHighlife #chairshare
Happy belated 5th wedding anniversary to @daniellenicoleflorio (13 years together) 🧡
I had an unforgettable time with you staying up all night, biking, dancing, sitting in @hortus.lux at sunrise with @chair__cult was a highlight!
Maybe the real peak experiences were the friends we made along the way? swipe right 🔥
#chairshare
Turning 42 during 4/20/24 palindrome season has really felt surreal, endless winks from the universe.
42 is the age my father was when he passed away in my arms, and as a result I’ve never thought I would live longer than that. (This may not translate for many).
As a 12 year old that traumatic experience was incredibly eye opening and motivating in ways that can only be felt. I’ve heard losing a parent that young is like seeing a color others cannot.
As a 42 year old today I wake up to having every dream that 12 year old kid could have hoped for having been realized.
I’m surrounded by incredible people, work in an unbelievable environment, with facilities and tools to make dreams realities. Top it all off with a new home with the love of my life @daniellenicoleflorio
Every moment now feels like bonus time, and I just want to honor my ancestors and thank the young creative spirit that followed his heart no matter where it was gonna take him.
Love you all.
Got to celebrate 4th wedding anniversary with @daniellenicoleflorio last Aug at the burn, rode bikes till sunrise🧡🙏🏻🤙🏻adventure / snack companions 12 years strong
Celebrating a dirty dozen with this amazing gal. @daniellenicoleflorio my adventure / snack companion the last 12 years. Together we grow so much more than old!
🧘🏻♀️🐍🧘🏼♂️
