Burning Man unveils blueprint designs for 2019’s ‘Temple of Direction’
Every year, hundreds of thousands of Burners come together to erect a pop-up utopia in Black Rock Desert, Nevada. Every camp, every art installation, every single minute element of the gathering is completely self-made. That’s the aura that keeps Burning Man‘s fire alive.
So one can imagine the honor and pride eight time Burner Geordie Van Der Bosch must’ve been feeling when his architectural concept was selected as the official Burning Man temple for 2019. It’s the centerpiece of Black Rock City, with entrances stationed at every cardinal direction into the playa — 12, 3, 6, and 9 o’clock.
After syphoning through their many design submissions, the organizing body of Burning Man finally arrived on Van Der Bosch’s “The Temple of Direction” for next year. He’s a San Fransisco-based builder who modeled his design after the torii gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine in Japan, where lived for a short stint.
According to The Burning Man Journal, the 180′ x 37′ x 36′ design “was chosen for its elegant simplicity” and “linear form.”
This linear form reflects the passage of life with its beginning, middle, and end. Throughout the structure there are areas that reflect this journey: narrow & wide spaces, bright & dark spaces, and tunnels that create intimate physical settings. Meanwhile, a large central hall, an altar, and many shelves for offerings create the setting for our collective experience.
It’s a space of reflection throughout the gathering and symbol of sacrifice as the entire community comes together to torch the temple in a sacred blazing ritual. It’s a huge project to take on for Van Der Bosch, whose crew will have 15 days to erect the building.
Burning Man will take place from August 25 – September 2, 2019.
Via: The Burning Man Journal.
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