The Burning of the Man 1998
Though a lot of people call this the focus of the event, I prefer to think of it more like the cherry on top of a huge, big, ice cream sundae. Thought it was easily the most memorable, large scale happening of the week, it was also just one event of many that make this event what it is.
Though I didn't get to see it, evidently the torch used to light the man was brought in in a jet powered car (or a dragster depending on who you talk to), handed to a naked woman to lit a guy in a fire suit on fire and he was the one to light the man. WOW. Trust me, it is a HUGE production and not to be missed.
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| Ahhh... so serene, he has no idea what is about to befall him. | But we do! There was something about the anticipation that you could just feel from the crowd | Both Greg and Heidi had their Birthday on that Sunday night! Talk about a great way to celebrate. | Thom enjoying himself on the way to the Man. And what do I see behind him but five friends fighting over Jagermeister. Just share people! | Shhhh, I took this a few nights earlier, but who's keeping track? |
| Burn Man, Burn! The Man was also filled with fireworks that helped get the inferno underway. | What a beautiful sight it was to watch this 50-foot guy burn. They kept almost everyone back until he had collapsed and then there was a yelling rush to be as close as possible to the fire. | Fireworks, flares, burning wood, every form of fire that you could think of. | Maybe this guy on stilts was part of the lighting ceremony? I'm not sure. | Almost like a bonfire on the beach, only BIGGER! |
| Ian, is that you in there? | Maybe the CDs will help reflect some of the heat away? I don't know if it worked, but let me tell you it sure was too hot to get closer than 10-15 feet. | Maybe this beautiful woman is blessing the man? Too bad it won't keep him from burning! | And the crowd looks on in awe. | Even with two of them, they couldn't stop the carnage! |
| This guy must sure have felt at home. | Get this guy up on the stage to light the man! | "Isn't it beautiful, honey?" "Yes, it is, and the aliens seem to think so too." |
Stuff was burning all over the playa and all over Black Rock City. | I guess we now know what Santa does in his off time. |
| I don't know whether this guy was guarding this fire or just enjoying it. | There were plenty of fire fighters around, just in case something got out of control. I think they did get the chance to pull people out of fires that had fallen in. | Ed takes a flying leap through the flames. Believe it or not, he didn't even singe a hair off his legs. | After the man had fallen down, the crowd was allowed to get as close to the fires as they wanted, but believe me, it was so hot that nobody wanted to get closer than 10 feet. | The whole crowd kinda rotated around the big fire for a while, like moths circling a candle, and many people felt the need to dance around the fire. |
| Manny was ready to marry SOMEone that night. I didn't see him at the burn, so I don't know if he was successful. | Dust, heat, light, I think this person was prepared for anything. | Now THAT's what I call some HOT music! | ||
All images Copyright September 1998, by Graham Linn. No unauthorized use permitted without prior written permission.
If you wish to negotiate use of these pictures, please contact me at burningman@thatplace.net There are more pictures that are not up here yet.
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