Peter Platzgummer

You are invited to experience the sacred heart of Black Rock City— past to future! Happening May 9, 2026: 🔥 10:00 AM PT Temple Museum Opening followed by a panel discussion with Peter Platzgummer (Art Management, BMP), Jenna Seiden “Maven” (Temple Guardian Council), Lee Klinger “Tree,” and Adam Doti (both longtime Temple builders) 🔥 12:30 PM PT Temple of the Moon Reveal with James Gwertzman (Lead Artist) and Annie Locke Scherer (Architect) #BurningManTemple #TempleOfTheMoon #BlackRockCity

25 years of memories, one permanent home. ✨🌵 The Temples of Black Rock City have always been vessels for our stories, our grief, and our renewal. Now, we invite you to step into a new space dedicated to honoring that history. Join us for the opening of the Temple Museum in BurnerSphere. Walk through the years, revisit iconic designs from 2000–2025, and stay for a special live conversation with the guardians and artists who helped shape this sacred tradition. #BurningMan #BurningManTemple #DigitalDust

We already announced this year's honoraria projects but before I start talking about 2026, I still have a few projects from last year I want to share with you: Ocean of Tears by Jettinae VonJaeger and Lukas Mark from Würzburg, Germany: This 5x8x4-foot interactive kinetic sculpture was a complex engineering feat, featuring hundreds of interconnecting metal parts and sealed bearings designed to withstand the playa's harsh environment. While the main framework was cut from steel, the "waves" themselves were made of plexiglass that glowed with vibrant LED light at night. The piece was a beautiful example of sustainability, incorporating recycled components from the artists' previous 2023 installation, #teardrop The philosophy of the piece explored the transition from a single drop to a vast ocean of choices and repercussions. As ripples became waves, participants turned a manual crank to discover how their motions impacted a tide that moved back and forth through eternity. It served as a physical manifestation of cause and effect, reminding us that, regardless of the direction we choose, our actions create momentum that resonates far beyond us. It was incredible to see @markdesigngallery and @jettinaevonjaeger return to the desert with such a refined, meditative project. A huge thank you to the crew for bringing this German-engineered magic to the dust and for showing us the beauty of our shared impact! Videos/images: @georgeppost (2); @markdesigngallery (all others) #burningman #burningman2025 #brc #blackrockcity #art #oceanoftears #kineticart #interactiveart #causeandeffect #playaart #zgummer

Haven by The Flaming Lotus Girls from the San Francisco Bay Area, CA: A 15-foot-tall, more than 100-foot-wide nest made by a giant bird with access to a welder and a scrap yard. Its curvilinear forms were composed of steel tubes and salvaged materials such as sheet metal, chain-link, and windows. Above, large birds perched and tiny birds gathered, some breathing fire and others communicating through light and movement. At its heart, eggs rested in a bathtub-bed, occasionally releasing towers of colorful fire. Here’s what lead artist @margaret_rl said about the philosophy of the piece: Haven is the home you make where you are, a sanctuary for transformation and connection. At its heart is a nest belonging to Big Magical Birds (BMBs)—beings that transcend human notions of age and gender. One such BMB arrived in our universe to lay its eggs, building a nest from human detritus—scrap metal and glass—infused with beauty. Earthly birds gather as caretakers, and the @flaminglotusgirls have been called upon to use their talents with fire to nurture this shared act of creation. The Flaming Lotus Girls are an institution at @burningman and have brought some of the most beautiful pieces of art to #BlackRockCity. I love working with this crew of badass artists and fabricators. Thank you all for bringing such fiery magic to the playa! Photos/videos: @danee_hazama_photography (1- cropped version, full one: 19, 18); @flaminglotusgirls (2,11,15); @burnersphere (3 - that’s a 3D scan you can check out on their page!); @flamejuggler via @flamingcarousel (4); #DanAdams (5); @outsidethecatbox (6); @scott.london (7); @jamesdeane_ca (8); #SusanBecker (9); @dusttoashes (10); @sleepy.gabby (12); #StevenRaspa (13,17); @georgeppost (14); @tuliostyle (16) #burningman #burningman2026 #brc #blackrockcity #art #artist #flaminglotusgirls #haven #fireart #burnergirls #burner #brc #fireart #haven

Time Drop by Jordan MacHardy, Sonia Aggarwal, Scott MacHardy, Wes MacHardy, Kasey Boekholt from Albuquerque, NM: housed in a 24' Box truck with the name of a fictitious business on the side: "United Time Travel and Plumbing Services" - designed to look plain and pedestrian on the outside.... But when you entered, it expanded into an immersive art experience that used water, audio, lighting, sculpture, and mirrors to create an expansive environment that bent your perception of time and space. With a turn of the control knob, the music slowed and stretched, and raindrops and eagle tears began to fall in slow motion into a vast garden. Real water drops, sparkling as they fall, slowed and then hovered in mid-air, each drop contorting before your eyes. If you found yourself stunned by the experience and wanted to see it again, you could reverse time by turning the knob the other way, lifting the water back into the sky, watching it absorb back into the eagle's eyes, and then seeing the same drops fall again. In case you wondered, the music was Heartbeats by the Swedish electronic music duo the Knife. Was it magic? No. #TimeDrop was a combination of mechatronics, art, science, and technology. But, did it feel like magic? Absolutely! It was mind-blowing to watch it. And, the long lines of participants in front of the truck tell me I wasn’t the only one who felt like that. Bravo to @jordanmachardy and the whole @_time_drop_ and @cafe.entropy team! This was sooooo good! Probably one of my favorite immersive art installations ever. Event producers bring this to your event! Photos/videos: @_time_drop_ (1); @manintheclouds (2); @jordanmachardy (3,8); @bmir_fm via #facebook (4); @yulla.faun (5); #Rough_History_552 (6); Osuraclmaj via #reddit (7); #wake_and.jake via #tiktok (8) #art #artist #burningman #burningman2025 #newmexicoart #timedrop #timemachine #stroboscope #burner #burnergirls #blackrockcity

Stormborn: The Tyrant of Lightning by Andrew Frank, Emerson Casey, Nero, Josh Hess, Josh Ishihara, Kevin Dyllong & Greta Hanger from Reno, NV: a 10-foot-tall and almost 30-foot-long electrifying fusion of prehistoric power and elemental energy—a life-sized sculpture of a Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton, composed entirely of sculpted lightning. This installation envisions the raw force of nature, where ancient life meets the untamed fury of the storm. The skeletal form is not forged from bone but is instead realized through the dynamic, branching patterns of lightning itself, captured in glowing arcs of energy. The project featured an LED sculpture of a T-Rex skeleton, programmed to flash like bolts of lightning, combined with linked audio, and will be made rideable with a saddle and ladder, allowing Burners to climb on the back. The core of @stormborn_ttol was made of plasma-cut metal ribs, welded onto a tube steel frame. Thin LED tubing was woven throughout the metal cutouts to create the 3D sculpted effects of the skeleton. Here’s what lead artist @jellolefrank wrote about the philosophy of the piece: “Our philosophy is easy, epic, interactive, nighttime photography. Over the past several years as an artist, I've obsessed over the idea of interactivity in art. In the time I've spent at Burning Man watching people interact with art, and scrolling the content created at Burning Man, there is a distinct separation between daytime and nighttime photography. Daytime photography is demonstrative of the Burners experience, whereas nighttime content is focused on the art. "Tall Tails" from 2024 is a perfect example of an amazing piece of interactive art, that seemed to be photographed exclusively during the day. "End of Time" is another great example. The philosophy of what we are trying to create becomes merging the daytime Burner experience photos with nighttime lighted art photos by creating an amazing sculpture that also highlights human interaction through effective subject lighting.” Loved working with this crew from Reno. I really hope this project makes it to many lightfestivals! #burningman #burningman2025 #brc #blackrockcity #thankslarry #burner #burnergirls

One Tin Soldier by Mark Deem and the Misfit Toys from Bolinas, CA: A series of giant children's toys, all in all, almost 200 feet long and 50 feet wide. The closer you get, the smaller you feel. Everything looms large, as if you were shrinking or it were growing. As you near, the worn, weathered features and faded primary colors become clear. Past the 8-foot-tall children's blocks spelling "LOVE" next to a monumental stack of four blocks, 16 feet tall, inviting you to climb and play on their letters and zoo animal faces. Old metal Jax lay scattered, piled 10' high. A 12-foot yo-yo buried in the dust. And finally, facing east towards the rising sun, a 24-foot-tall mounted, faceless wooden soldier stands guard, its reins swinging, welcoming you to ride with it. Here’s what lead artist @more_big_art wrote about the philosophy of the piece: “The name is a subtle prompt to think beyond the playground by evoking a song from my childhood. From the soundtrack of The Legend of Billy Jack to Bob Dylan and Neil Young, a tin soldier is one who plays at war and pays none of the costs. Calling up these lyrics amidst giant toys of innocence and war invites us to consider the lessons of child-play, of the songs, and who we want to be in this world. "Go ahead and hate your neighbor; Go ahead and cheat a friend; Do it in the name of heaven; You can justify it in the end; There won't be any trumpets blowing; Come the judgment day; On the bloody morning after; One tin soldier rides away" -The Original Cast "I've heard many stories, and I've heard many tales, And I've heard all the details; Of the brave soldiers marching to their deaths, To be buried in the sand, And the tin soldiers on the hill; Waving their hands" -Bob Dylan How will we feel climbing a giant soldier on horseback, but painted in primary colors, after visiting the blocks inviting us to LOVE?” Loved working with Mark and the @misfittoyscrew - such a great bunch of @burningman weirdos - inclusive, creative, lovely to hang out with! Thank you! Images/videos: @hulagirlxo (2) with @bendybonnie -I did add some more sky and ground to crop it for Insta, original one is #20 -Sorry (1); @dadryp (2); @woj.hasacamera (3,9);

The Moonlight Library by The Moonlight Collective from San Francisco, CA & Seattle, WA: the 40-feet wide, 34-feet deep, and approximately 27-feet tall, two-story structure, haunted remains of an ancient cosmic library. A romantic ruin only partially standing, eerie and windswept. Bookshelves filled with weathered books lined the walls. Prominent columns and tall arches added to the air of mystery and grandeur, and tall ladders helped reach the upper level. A haunting ambient soundscape played, with fragments of the stories @the.moonlight.collective collected in their 2022/2023 piece #ThePrairieOfPossibilities mixed in. The structure was lit dimly with simulated candles and torches that flickered and interactively responded to the soundscape. Here’s what lead artist @gwertzman wrote about the piece's philosophy: "The Ruined Library" explores the interconnectedness of humanity through the metaphor of a decaying library. Each weathered book represents a personal story, revealing universal themes of happiness, sadness, fear, or anger. Despite the broken walls and roof, the towering shelves and open sky symbolize resilience and the enduring power of shared knowledge. Viewers are invited to wander through the ruins, discovering stories that transcend differences, reminding us that beneath our unique covers, we share the same human essence. The crumbling structure is intentional, and highlights the fragility of connections and the persistence of the human spirit. This work challenges us to reflect on our stories, empathize with others, and see ourselves as part of a collective narrative. It asks: if we are all books in the same library, why do we build walls that divide us? "The Ruined Library" is a call to unity and a celebration of our shared humanity.” (note the different name in the proposal…) Such a pleasure working with James and his wonderful team. I can’t wait to see what they will come up with next ;) Photos/videos: @redpilotphotography (1); @angelerzz (2); #DuncanRawlinson (3,8,13); @jo_seitz (4); @michaelhwhitten (5); #DanAdams via gallery.burningman.org (6,12 - a beautiful shot of @murrayhidary ‘s performance); @gwertzman (7,11); @georgeppost (9);...

Pillar of Po Tolo by Antwane Lee and The Solar Shrine Collective from Chicago, IL: an interactive installation that is African spiritual technology interpreted in a modern way. It consisted of a 16-foot-tall, 4-foot-wide sculpture, 2 doorway portals, and 4 podiums radially spread out at 90 degrees. The installation operated as a gateway to star systems and is astronomically aligned with Sirius, which is where the Dogon people of Mali in West Africa believe the Nommos, the great founders of civilization, were from. On the tall sculpture were hand patterns that resemble rock art from ancient caves and initiation centers, triggered by human touch. The doorway was humanity's archetype of transition and, in this project, represented the entry into another dimension of time and space. Once attendees walked through the doorway and placed both hands on the podium, the pillar was activated and operated as a communication device. Here’s what lead artist @antwane_lee wrote about the philosophy of the piece: ‘The philosophy of the installation is to manifest the Dogon people's mythologies and metaphysical realities. Central to their cosmology is that the Sky God Amma created the first living being named Nommo that transformed and multiplied. They believe the Nommos were inhabitants of a world circling the brightest star in the sky Sirius. They were the great civilizers that came to set up society on Earth. They teach that Po Tolo, the companion star in the Sirius star system, is of the most significance with its egg-shaped orbit. Sirius has been an important star for many cultures since ancient times. However, it was not until 1844 that an astronomer deduced with the aid of a telescope that Sirius was a binary star. Using forms that interplay, hand patterns that resemble rock art, spiral petroglyphs that connect us to other worlds and higher realms of existence, and symbols from Dogon cosmology, the project is designed to be a gateway and totem of technological activation and communication.’ Loved working with #AntwaneLee and the @solarshrine crew. So happy they came back with a new art piece <3 #PillarOfPoTolo #afrofuturism #burningman #burner #burnergirls #thankslarry

The Point of Unity by Mykola Kabluka from Dnipro, Ukraine: a 21-foot wide and 18-foot tall multi-level spatial structure that fuses minimalism, technology, and symbolism. It featured two mirror-finish stainless steel discs of different diameters: the smaller one lay on the ground, while the larger one hovered above on mirrored columns. The upper disc, with a central circular opening, served as an emotional core for the interaction among space, light, and sound. Integrated fiber optics created a starry sky effect, while dynamic lighting projectors generated caustic light patterns resembling moving water. The lower disc served as a reflective platform for visitors, producing an infinity illusion with the mirrored ceiling above. Built-in speakers delivered a meditative soundscape, immersing visitors in a sensory environment. Here’s what @mykolakabluka wrote about the philosophy of the piece: ‘Without leaving the ground and taking off into the sky, you find yourself in a moment of cognition, in the balance of 'ALL AT ONCE' at the point where you touch the stars. Getting inside the installation, you seem to become a part of the light, a part of the Universe, the installation's central figure, reminding us that changes in this world best begin with us. 'The Point of Unity' expresses an allegory of the connection between the present and the future, the movement towards an ideal common future embodied through our actions today. In this sacred moment, you can see through artistic tools how a high intangible idea comes from above to the earth, materializes on the planet, and you are inside this holistic process.’ What a gorgeous, and now multi-award-winning sculpture?! Loved working with the whole Ukrainian team. I’m always flabbergasted by how these crews make art happen despite all the craziness they have to deal with on a daily basis. #burningman #burningman2025 #burner #burnergirls #thankslarry #blackrockcity #brc #art #artist #ukrainianart #pointofunity #lightart Photos/videos: @ordinary_man_ (1); @ml_docphotography (2, 4); @scott.london (3); @kateryna.demers (5); @jamenpercy.burn (6); @bee.lady_s with editing by @zaharsergeevg via @marina_artworks (7);...

Vessels of Love by Alberto Marcos from Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica: This breathtaking 40-feet-wide, 10-feet-deep, and 23-feet-tall double slide structure is shaped like an infinity heart symbol, radiating love and positivity throughout the desert. Crafted by @alberto_amps , @benarbib2424 , and the @_vesselsoflove_ collective, it was more than just an art installation; it was a celebration of connection, joy, and infinite love. Here’s what #AlbertoMarcos wrote about the Philosophy of the piece: “The art piece Vessels of Love is a clear statement of the understanding that love is never linear, but through love, infinity can be achieved. The concept of infinity dates from the Ancient Greek Mathemathicians but the symbol was first used by an English priest in 1655. Years after, 2 hearts connected by their bottoms created a new layer of resonance to the universal symbol. Turning this powerful image into an active two-sided slide, we believe people will engage in becoming part of the eternal conversation of ups and downs that consolidate true love. Standing in the deep playa, and approachable from the distance, an infinity love will be waiting for interaction.A bright red at daytime and a LED-lit symbol at night. Sunrise from its connection” I had such a blast working with this crew. I really hope this wasn’t the last time #VesselsOfLove was coming to #BlackRockCity, and hopefully, there’s a place where this sculpture - built with US and European playground safety standards in mind - could be placed indefinitely. #burningman #brc #burner #burnergirls #burningman2025 #thankslarry #playground #slide #heart #love Photos/videos: #DuncanRawlinson (1,9, 16, 18); @rushaffair (2); @dadryp (3); @davidh_photographe (4, 15); @guregorikkuma (5); @_vesselsoflove_ (6, 10); @jamenpercy.burn (7);...

The Cosmic Carousel - A Human-made Object for an Alien World by Michael Walsh from Oakland, CA: a striking, futuristic, large-scale sculpture that appears to defy gravity, balanced delicately on a single thread and reflecting its surroundings through a mirror-polished aluminum surface. A captivating fusion of form and concept, it draws the viewer in, inviting them to engage with the sculpture as a kinetic, interactive experience. The work blends influences from a range of styles, combining the forward-looking optimism of Futurism and the industrial precision of Modernist Art and Architecture. At 23 feet wide, 18 feet long, and 17 feet tall, the Cosmic Carousel features an aircraft-grade aluminum finish, dynamic RGB LED lighting, and a conversation pit at its center, offering both a visual spectacle and a space for communal interaction. Here’s what @michaelwalshsculptor wrote about the philosophy of @thecosmiccarousel_sculpture : “What if an alien culture chose Black Rock City as a place to observe humanity's ability to work together outside the constraints of the corporate construct? Imagine, for a moment, that we, as a species, could function in a more harmonious way—consistently and collectively. If we could, perhaps we'd be ready to extend this synergy beyond our planet, into the galaxy and beyond. It serves as a medium for the communal observation of reciprocal synergy and spontaneous collaboration. Through its interactive nature, the sculpture sparks meditations and conversations on the present and future possibilities of human society. Its call to collaborate brings the present moment into sharper focus, encouraging participants to be fully engaged and truly present. In an increasingly disconnected world, the Cosmic Carousel fosters a sense of connection and community, offering a unique, participatory experience that inspires shared dreams, collective reflection, and a reimagining of our present and future.” I loved working with Michael. @burningman art processes have changed quite a bit since the last time Michael brought #CosmicCarousel , but we mastered all the storms together ;)