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Burning Man: Art on Fire Kindle Edition

4.9 out of 5 stars 164 ratings

Every August, tens of thousands of participants gather to celebrate artistic expression in Nevada's barren Black Rock Desert. This vastly inhospitable location, called the playa, is the site of Burning Man, where, within a 9-mile fence, artists called Burners create a temporary city devoted to art and participation. Braving extreme elements, over two hundred wildly ambitious works of art are created and intended to delight, provoke, involve, or amaze. In 2013, over 68,000 people attended - the highest number ever allowed on the playa. As Burning Man has created new context, new categories of art have emerged since its inception, including Art to Ride, Collaborative Art, and of course, Art to Burn. Burning Man: Art on Fire is an authorized collection of some of the most stunning examples of Burning Man art. Experience the amazing sculptures, art, stories, and interviews from the world's greatest gathering of artists. Get lost in a rich gallery of images showcasing the best examples of playa art with 170 photos. Interviews with the artists reveal not only their motivation to create art specifically for Burning Man, but they also illuminate the dramatic efforts it took to create their pieces. Featuring the incredible photography of long-time Burning Man photographers, Sidney Erthal and Scott London, an introduction from Burning Man founder Larry Harvey, and a foreword from Will Chase, this stunning gift book allows Burners and enthusiasts alike to have a piece of Burning Man with them all year around.
Due to its large file size, this book may take longer to download

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Burners wait all year to travel to a remote desert where they create stupefying art and build amazing sculpture - then burn it all down a week later. Fortunately, someone took some pictures!" - Paul Reubens (aka Pee-wee Herman)



"Burning Man: Art on Fire provides a fine authorized collection of some of the amazing art work of the Burning Man annual gathering, collecting the sculptures, art installations, and stories from attendee artists and presenting a gallery of some 200 images representing the best of Burning Man creations. From photos to an aerial-view poster, this pairs full-page color photos with discussions of how each piece was created within the Burning Man festival. From silicon rays that use technology and art to the outer limits of self-expression to the creation of Burning Man temples, this is a fantastic art book packed with full-page color images all paired with discussions and packed into an oversized coffee-table creation accessible to art collections and individual fans of Burning Man culture alike." €” The Midwest Book Review, California Bookwatch: November 2014



"The desert festival known as Burning Man has evolved far beyond its 1990 origin as a simple party on a San Francisco beach centered on the immolation of a humanoid wooden sculpture. Now taking place on a dry lake bed in Nevada, the event is a giant noncommercial hedonist blowout for thousands of people revolving around a climactic incineration. This volume is an opulent photographic exploration of the artistic side of the celebration ranging from static sculpture to fire-breathing mutant cars. Short prefatory essays define Burning Man's history and ethos and give brief glimpses of the design and construction of the varied pieces on the unbelievably difficult terrain of the desert. The sculptures are as various as the minds of the creators and include free-form blobitecture, steampunk vehicles shooting flame, giant comic-book pirate ships, filigree steel female nudes, 40-ton granite boulders suspended overhead, dragon-shaped aluminum can smelters, vast wood and canvas temples, and a multiplicity of personal expressions designed to enhance the experience of the attendees. VERDICT The lush photography and fine printing will appeal to art and nonart audiences and the breezy text is aimed at inclusion rather than erudition. Whether you like the art pieces is a matter of taste, but this book is a great way to experience a bit of the thrill." - Library Journal

About the Author

Jennifer Raiser is a writer, nonprofit leader, and Burner. Burning Man: Art on Fire (2014/2016/2023, Quarto/Epic Ink,) is a love letter to her happiest place on earth, Black Rock City. Known on playa as CocoCabana, she volunteers with the Black Rock Rangers and Gate, Perimeter, and Exodus departments; she has served as the Treasurer and Board Member of the nonprofit Burning Man Project since its founding. She is the author of In the Spirit of Napa Valley (2015, Assouline) and The Art of Being Bill: Bill Murray and the Many Faces of Awesome (2018, Quarto/Race Point Publishing), and has written extensively for the San Francisco Chronicle, Huffington Post, and numerous other publications. Previously, she founded Raiser Senior Services, managing luxury retirement communities as described in her book Designing Retirement Communities for the Future (1998, John Wiley and Sons). She has gratefully served on thirteen nonprofit boards. She earned both a BA in English Literature and an MBA from Harvard University. A San Francisco native, she lives near the Presidio with a superabundance of pets, books, and costumes.

Sidney Erthal has had his camera poised for the past seven Burns which is how Burning Man aficionados carbon-date their experience with the festival. Born and educated in Brazil, he has lived in the San Francisco Bay area for the past decade.

Scott London is a longtime photographer of Burning Man, and his photos have appeared in Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair, GQ, and National Geographic Traveler. He is the former host of NPR's "Insight and Outlook."

Larry Harvey is the Founder of Burning Man and Burning Man Project. He currently serves as head of the Burning Man Project's Philosophical Center, conceives the theme of the Burning Man event each year, and determines the design of the Man and its base. He is passionate about books and art, and resides in San Francisco.

Will Chase is a writer best known for his role as publisher of Burning Man's online newsletter, Jackrabbit Speaks, and as editor of The Burning Blog. He is also a long-time art curator and arts consultant through his company, Will Chase Arts.

Leo Villareal is an artist who works with light and scale. He has created numerous iconic works including Multiverse for the underground walkway of Washington's National Gallery of Art, Hive for New York's Bleecker Street subway station, and The Bay Lights, spanning the Bay Bridge between San Francisco and Oakland.

Jennifer Raiser is a writer, strategist, business leader, and Burner. She has written for the San Francisco Chronicle, Huffington Post, Harvard Business School, and her online magazine, SFWire.com. She serves on the board of the Burning Man Project, volunteers as a Black Rock Ranger, and welcomes participants aboard the Kazbus Mutant Vehicle.

Sidney Erthal is acclaimed for his photography, with a special emphasis on spontaneous portraiture. He has spent the last decade engaging with and photographing the people and phenomenon of Burning Man, and he works with the Documentary Team welcoming journalists to Media Mecca.

Scott London has been documenting Burning Man for more than a decade. His award-winning images have appeared in books, newspapers, and magazines worldwide, including Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair, GQ, Elle Decor, Marie Claire, and National Geographic Traveler. In addition to his photography, Scott is a longtime print and radio journalist and was the former host of NPR's "Insight and Outlook."

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00MPUXX5M
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Race Point Publishing (August 8, 2014)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 8, 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 59.5 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 306 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.9 out of 5 stars 164 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
164 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers praise the book's stunning pictures and comprehensive coverage of Burning Man art, with one review noting its rich color photographs. Moreover, the writing quality is well-received, with one customer highlighting the extremely well-written explanations. Additionally, the book receives positive feedback for its characterization, with one review describing it as the best visual description of Burning Man. Customers find it makes a great gift and consider it well worth the reasonable price.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

40 customers mention "Photography"40 positive0 negative

Customers praise the stunning and comprehensive photography in the book, particularly appreciating the incredible sculptures featured.

"...me her masterful, gorgeous, phenomenal, magnificent and rich color photographs of Burningman to me!..." Read more

"...I will enjoy reading and viewing pictures as it is many pages and will take a lot of time. That’s a good thing." Read more

"Awesome book with great visuals and poetic words, poems, and quotes...." Read more

"...the only international city of peace, art, music, and personal expression in the world! Reproducing the beautifully done photographs across..." Read more

16 customers mention "Writing quality"16 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing quality of the book, finding it interesting and informative, with one customer noting the extremely well written explanations.

"Awesome book with great visuals and poetic words, poems, and quotes...." Read more

"...They loved it. It was informative, colorful and reminded them of home...." Read more

"Beautiful pictures and makes it easier to explain the event to people who ask about it. Many of the art pieces I found most memorable were included." Read more

"Fantastic words and pics. Nothing can capture Black Rock City, but this is a great reflection of the magic." Read more

11 customers mention "Characterization"11 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's characterization, with one review noting it provides a compelling history of Burning Man, while another describes it as a great coffee table book that transports readers to the event.

"...but the beautiful artwork, high quality production, and compelling history of Burning Man included in the narrative just intensified his interest..." Read more

"...book that's big with great pictures and definitely highlights the art of burning man. I'd recommend this for experienced and new people alike" Read more

"...This book really transports you to the Burning Man, if you've never been this will make you want to be there." Read more

"The best part is the book cover that has a pic of Burning Man camp ground. I was there in that pic somewhere and that's pretty cool." Read more

8 customers mention "Gift value"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book makes a great gift, with one mentioning it's perfect for fellow Burners.

"Turned out to be the perfect gift! If you can't go to the festival, photos of the art works will take you there briefly." Read more

"perfect gift! beautiful" Read more

"this was a xmas gift for niece. she enjoyed it and hopes one day to attend burning man." Read more

"ON TIME AND THE BOOK IS JUST THTE PERFECT GIFT FOR FELLOW BURNERS." Read more

7 customers mention "Narrative quality"7 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the narrative of the book, finding it interesting, with one customer noting how it illustrates the magnitude of the event and another describing it as a genuine rite of passage.

"...honestly say that Burningman continues to be one of those genuine rites of passages and a primal experience celebrating the very best of humanity..." Read more

"...Burning Man is a transformative experience, the only international city of peace, art, music, and personal expression in the world!..." Read more

"...The pictures are just unreal, they are so mystical, other worldly, and surreal. I love it." Read more

"Stunning photos and info, inspiring, the best book on Burning Man that I have seen." Read more

7 customers mention "Value for money"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well worth its reasonable price.

"...the words of the artists who endure the extreme elements, spend all their money, and enlist all their friends to produce this fantasy world that..." Read more

"...Nice collectors edition if you want to take a look back at the art of Burning Man." Read more

"I bought this book after seeing it in a store. It cost quite a bit less than buying it retail, and I am very pleased with the book, especially the..." Read more

"Awesome pics, interesting text, well worth the reasonable price." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2014
    Having missed making my pilgrimage to the annual Burningman festival after partaking a half-dozen times, I've missed it with all my heart and soul: As an adult guy in his 60s, I can honestly say that Burningman continues to be one of those genuine rites of passages and a primal experience celebrating the very best of humanity and creativity. And Jennifer Raiser has made it easier for me not to venture forth into the Black Rock Desert Wilderness by bringing to me her masterful, gorgeous, phenomenal, magnificent and rich color photographs of Burningman to me! That's the second best thing to actually being there! And without the dust! For anyone who has never been but wishes to experience the visual essence of Burningman - this book is a must have! For those of us who have been to Black Rock City but have missed being there in recent years -- Raiser's achievement will help lessen the pain of not returning! She's nailed it!
    12 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2020
    I've barely started reading it and have learned to much of the history and purpose of Burning Man ..... its the next best thing to going! The size is also impressive since the ‘coffeetable book size’ allows for larger photos and everything about Burning Man is large. This is a serious book....not a coffee table book for show. I will enjoy reading and viewing pictures as it is many pages and will take a lot of time. That’s a good thing.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2014
    Awesome book with great visuals and poetic words, poems, and quotes. It makes for a great coffee table book and also it will spark a lot of talk about Burning Man with your visitors at your house. I'd highly recommend if you are a burner and want some really lovely memories to hold onto and remember!
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2015
    Having been to Burning Man for 19 years, this publication embodies the poetry of both the art and the emotion of this extrordinary event. Burning Man is a transformative experience, the only international city of peace, art, music, and personal expression in the world!
    Reproducing the beautifully done photographs across both pages, captures the scale of the art within the vast background of the Playa.
    And so importantly, the words of the artists who endure the extreme elements, spend all their money, and enlist all their friends to produce this fantasy world that could exist nowhere else. This book comes as close to being there as you will ever find in print. And for me, a blessed reminder of the wonder and magic I have experienced through the years.
    Thank you
    Patty Cole
    8 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2014
    Last week I had a copy sent to my family in the midwest in order to share with them the reason that I have been enchanted by the burn. For me, it is the art above all else. My first night there in 2007 I watched a crew working at midnight, welding and erecting a huge metal project and said, "That. I'm gonna do that." Two years later I was there with Iron Monkey Arts and Incunabulum. The next two projects we worked on together are in this book. I don't take pictures at the burn and don't keep catalogs of other people's pictures, so this book really helped me show my family what I couldn't explain in words alone. They were appropriately blown away by the wealth of creativity this book contains.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2019
    We bought this for a friend who suddenly seems obsessed with tricking, I mean, convincing us to go to Burning Man. We hoped this would be enough, but the beautiful artwork, high quality production, and compelling history of Burning Man included in the narrative just intensified his interest (he insisted on showing us almost every page of the book as soon as we gave it to him). Can't miss gift for those who are into this event.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2014
    This was a gift to some friends in London who used to live in San Francisco. They loved it. It was informative, colorful and reminded them of home. They immediately put the book on their coffee table for their friends to peruse when they come to visit. A successful thank you book for a guest.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2017
    This is so beautiful. I apparently have been living under a rock and only just recently hard of the burning man art. As someone who loves to paint, I looked for a book to provide inspiration and to teach me more about the annual art event. I bought the hardback book and it came in a really nice sleeve that the book slips into. The pictures are just unreal, they are so mystical, other worldly, and surreal. I love it.
    3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • bourcy
    5.0 out of 5 stars enfin un livre d'art et riche en très belle photo
    Reviewed in France on August 10, 2014
    enfin parce que cela fait des mois que je l'attends, et je ne suis pas déçu, un livre très bien illustré, les photos sont sublimes et donnent un réel aperçu de l'art du burning man et de la plaine de Black Rock City... pour tout les adeptes et les néophytes, les steampunk et vaporistes et autres tribus ...
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  • Sabine Kreiter
    5.0 out of 5 stars Eine Freude
    Reviewed in Germany on June 8, 2018
    Der Versand aus England war prompt und sehr korrekt. Das Buch in beschriebenen einwandfreiem Zustand. Das Buch selbst ist eine poetische Augenweide mit guter Beschreibung der Künstler und Kunstwerke. Das Feuer tilgt das Geschehen und Gewesene am Ende.
  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 7, 2019
    Lovely book. Really good quality in a classy protective sleeve. Great present to remind you of the event. Really good quality photos
  • pitgu
    5.0 out of 5 stars On brûle d’en savoir d avantage sur Burning Man
    Reviewed in Canada on July 29, 2018
    Une fois de plus, ce livre nous transporte dans Burning Man par ses écrits et ses images époustouflantes.

    Reçu à temps et en bonne condition.

    Merci!
  • Cornflake Girl
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastischer Bildband!
    Reviewed in Germany on June 13, 2016
    Es wurde eine tolle Atmosphäre auf den Fotos eingefangen. Sehr ansprechende Gestaltung und sehr wertiges Papier. Kann ich uneingeschränkt empfehlen.

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