Burning Man: A Fusion of Art, Culture, and Radical Self-Expression

Every year, in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert, a temporary city emerges from the dust, transforming the barren landscape into a vibrant hub of creativity, community, and self-expression. This event, known as Burning Man, has become a cultural phenomenon, attracting tens of thousands of participants from around the world.

Burning Man is not your typical festival. It’s a week-long experiment in temporary community, where participants come together to create art, share experiences, and explore radical self-expression.

At its core, Burning Man is guided by ten principles, including radical inclusion, self-reliance, and leaving no trace.

One of the most iconic aspects of Burning Man is the burning of a massive wooden effigy, known as “The Man,” which occurs on the event’s penultimate night. This ritualistic burning symbolizes the temporary nature of the community and serves as a cathartic release for participants.

But Burning Man is about much more than just the burning of a wooden structure. It’s about the countless art installations that dot the desert landscape, the interactive theme camps that offer everything from yoga classes to dance parties, and the spontaneous acts of creativity that spring up around every corner.

At Burning Man, participants are encouraged to express themselves freely and authentically. Whether through elaborate costumes, art projects, or performance art, everyone is encouraged to let their creativity run wild. This spirit of radical self-expression fosters a sense of openness and acceptance that is unlike anything found in the default world.

Participation is key at Burning Man, and everyone is expected to contribute in some way. Whether by volunteering at a theme camp, gifting art to fellow participants, or simply lending a helping hand to a neighbor, the ethos of radical self-reliance and communal effort permeates every aspect of the event.

But Burning Man is not without its controversies. Critics argue that the event has become too commercialized and that it has strayed from its countercultural roots. Others point to the environmental impact of hosting such a large gathering in the desert.

Despite these criticisms, Burning Man continues to thrive, attracting a diverse array of participants from all walks of life. For many, it’s a transformative experience that challenges conventional notions of community, creativity, and self-expression.

In the end, Burning Man is more than just a festival—it’s a temporary utopia where participants come together to create a world that is limited only by their imagination. And as the embers of The Man fade into the night sky, the spirit of Burning Man lives on, inspiring countless individuals to bring a little more creativity and community into their own lives.

Interview with a Burning Man Enthusiast

Today, we have the pleasure of introducing Carolina, a seasoned participant in the vibrant community of Burning Man. Join us as we explore Carolina’s fascinating experiences and insights gained from this annual event that celebrates radical self-expression, art, and community in the Nevada desert. Through Carolina’s eyes, we’ll discover the transformative power and profound impact of Burning Man on her life and perspective.

@carolinaminchetti, thank you for joining us. Could you please introduce yourself briefly?

Indeed, my name is Carolina Minchetti (the same as on my social media), I’m Brazilian but I live in Portugal and I used to live in Los Angeles couple years ago. I’m a fashion designer and businesswomen and I discover my passion about design when I start going to burning man.

Let’s dive right in. What first drew you to Burning Man, and what keeps you coming back?

So, I think I discovered Burning Man around 2015, but you cannot truly understand what it is until you actually go. I told myself that one day I would experience it, but in 2017 some friends who were going invited me to join them. Everything happened so fast to plan (it’s way easier when you live in the United States) that I ended up going for the first time. Since then, I never stopped. As I mentioned before, since the first time I went, that place brought me so much inspiration to do what I do right now. That’s why, while I can, I make a point of going.

How did you participate?

After 5 years (Burning Man didn’t happen officially in 2020 or 2021), I have been in very different situations. I went to different camps, met different people, experienced different cultures, and I make an effort to make it a good experience for myself and for others. Some people look at that place and think it’s just about partying and having fun, but out there your community spirit comes out and you’re basically living in a perfect society. There’s no money to buy anything. Everything is an exchange; you can just go wherever you want and ask for food and water, you don’t pay for it, but try to return in some way; like gifting the person (it’s one of the principles). When you’re camping with a closed camp, you probably will have shifts to work. It can be helping with cleaning, staying at the bar, preparing food, or whatever task they need to make our camp work perfectly. Like I said, it’s a community, and everyone has their role in that group.

And where did you find those eccentric outfits?

Since 2018, I started making most of my clothes, and when I need something different, I shop online. There’s a whole market with so many different stores offering this kind of clothing.

What is the approximate cost of participating in Burning Man?

The approximate cost varies depending on a lot of things. When I was living in the United States, I saved A LOT on flight tickets, which is one of the most expensive things for me right now. It starts with the ticket to the event, which is approximately $500. Then there are flight tickets to a nearby city, camping fees in case I’m staying with a camp, or renting an RV. I have paid from $1000 to $5000 for accommodation in total. You REALLY need a bike to move around because Black Rock City is huge. Then you have to bring all the food, water, and drinks for a week to survive (remember, you cannot buy anything there). The minimum I suggest you spend is like $3000 to $4000 USD. About outfits, I didn’t even include them in the cost range because some people really don’t care about what they wear.

Can you share your most memorable experience at Burning Man?

So last year, in 2023, we had a crazy situation that none of us was expecting. For the first time since the beginning of the story, we had pouring rain IN THE DESERT. It was raining for days, and everything became muddy and impossible to move around. At the beginning, I got a little bit sad because for me the playa is this perfect little world where nothing is supposed to go wrong. And definitely, for me, who came all the way from Lisbon, I was upset because I couldn’t explore the city, and it’s my favorite thing to do. The whole scenario was a little bit crazy, but I saw the good and the bad in people. People became more helpful with others. Some people didn’t have as many resources. Even for me, my yurt was flooded, and some friends just let me stay with them while things were really bad. It was crazy, but definitely memorable.

And the wildest thing you’ve witnessed? No censorship in our magazine!

This is actually super funny because I couldn’t process what I was seeing, but I saw a race of human snails. Like people naked pretending they were snails, on the dust, racing against each other.

Burning Man is often associated with radical self-expression. How do you personally express yourself at the event?

So since the second time I went to Burning Man, I started creating outfits based on themes. I use my body as a form of expression, and over the years, I’ve explored many different themes. For me, Burning Man is the place where I showcase my art. I create something to wear, and all of the clothes have a story behind them. I’ve explored really nice themes like the elements, tarot cards, the occult, my Afro-descendant religion, and I always explain what I’m dressing as and why, and I tell a story, always.

Burning Man is known for its emphasis on radical inclusion and self-reliance. How do these principles manifest during the event?

Burning Man has 10 principles that make so much sense in building this community. The radical inclusion itself is evident; people of all ages, races, cultures, and religions respect each other and enjoy their time together in that amazing space. It’s like seeing how a perfect world would be, basically. Regarding self-reliance, you find yourself in a place where you push your mind and body due to extreme conditions. You step out of your routine and just need to accept that sometimes it’s hard; it can be tough. However, everyone there is about to experience something unique that is so worth it in the end.

Do you think the festival has lost its core philosophy by becoming more commercial? Are there any VIP sections?

I don’t think that becoming more commercial is a bad thing for Burning Man ORG. They need donations and a lot of money to put all that together. So the world is changing, and they cannot do things as they used to in 1986 with just a bonfire and some people. Right now, the festival has 90 thousand people, and you will see a lot of different people out there. Some will respect the principles, and some won’t. Like everything in life, some of them are good, some are bad, and they cannot control that. And of course, there’s no VIP. There are a lot of “famous” people out there, and they live the experience like any one of us (probably just more luxurious than us but, in the end, the same kind of vibe).

In your opinion, how could the festival be enhanced?

I have only one complaint about Burning Man. Buying tickets can be a mess sometimes. If you cannot buy from the website, you end up buying from third-party sellers, and there are a LOT of people who buy tickets to make money from them. They buy for $500 and sell for double the price, and sometimes even more. People who really want to go end up paying absurd prices. They should create a platform to organize that, like a ticket swap or something similar. After so many years, they let this happen, and it’s frustrating. As for the actual event, I wouldn’t change anything.

After “burn”, you will never be the same

Lastly, for those who have never been to Burning Man, what advice would you give them?

I think the most important thing is to prepare yourself really well. Check everything you need to survive for a week in the desert, and keep your heart and mind open for the things that you will experience and see. Make the most of it. After Burning Man, you will never be the same again (in a positive way)!

Wise words indeed. Dear Carolina, thank you so much for sharing your insights and experiences with us.