Wanna See Burning Man Art Without Having To Burn? – Renwick Gallery

Burning Man’s art exhibit is on full display at the Renwick in DC

Photo by Rene Smith

My burner friends return home from their (Nevada) desert experience transformed and totally inspired.  I listen to them revel in their stories of radical self-expression, extreme heat, and almost cult-like, communal living and I am in awe.  I try and imagine myself there with them, marveling at the works of art, bicycling past costumed characters, and consumed with the new utopian/libertarian culture.  But I can’t.   I can’t get over the desert conditions.  How one forgoes basic necessities in life and surfs through sandstorms, basically begging for food and supplies while wandering aimlessly in a 110 degree desert for so long boggles my mind.  But I DO understand and appreciate the longing to be surrounded by such amazing creativity and art!  So it was great enthusiasm that I traveled to DC and visited the Renwick Gallery where I got to view many of the installations up close and personal.

That’s right! From now until January 21st 2019, you can view the “No Spectators: The Art of Burning Man” with the comforts of air conditioning!  The 3D art installations, video captures of daily life, and interactive experiences can be yours all within the beautiful Smithsonian venue!

First let’s talk fashion.  After all, it IS what most of the Burners and fans alike get most involved with when participating in Burning Man culture.  This festival fashion is so over-the-top.

photo by adventureseeker.org

Replace the usual cutoffs and fringed kimonos that you might see at Coachella, with outrageous feather-y, foot-long crowns, armor, and sequined couture and you’ve got Burning Man style!  So it was with great joy that I was able to see the fine details of some of these customized outfits.  Imagine wearing any of these through a desert!!

The wild and wacky, is always wonderful to me.  (Click here for the 5 wildest, wackiest, Tokyo spots post as proof!) Below is a meditative room with a psychedelic projection overhead for you to get lost in.

Then there was the beautiful, breath-taking ballerina.

photo by Ron Blunt

And then this room…. can I please live here??

photo by Ron Blunt

It is no wonder that Burning Man is one of the most influential, and talked-about phenoms in modern art.

If these works of art don’t ignite your creative spirit, I don’t know what will.

It’s worth the road – trip, I promise.  Note, the exhibition closes in 2 phases.  September 16th is the deadline for the bottom floor and January 21, 2019 is the last date for the 2nd floor’s display.  Don’t miss it!