Today, I found myself face-to-face with a photographer's gallery of Burning Man 2009. As I scrolled through the pictures all I could think to myself was, "This is so beautiful and so unique. I want to be a part of this someday." Ever since I first heard of Burning Man, I was completely mesmerized. The whole idea of going out into the middle of the desert to create and be a part of something larger than myself is intriguing. So many people share the experience together while letting all of their most wild imaginations run free with as much self expression as anyone has ever let loose upon the world.
At first I thought that it was just a bunch of people running around, doing drugs, and burning things. That is pretty much exactly what I pictured in my mind when someone told me that people were going out in the desert for around a week, gallivanting in costumes of the craziest kind. Then I did some research on the whole festival. They have a theme for each year, this year's is Metropolis (I believe), and they set up booths and have works of art created all over the place. Costuming is only one portion of Burning Man. It seems as though there is a community built by everything that takes place throughout the time of the festival. There are blogs about what to pack, what to expect, and how you are welcome, just as you are. I think I would like to be a part of it, even if it takes me years to finally get there.
If you're interested in the galleries I was talking about, these two links will lead you there:
1) http://www.behance.net/Gallery/Burning-Man-2009/317747
2) http://www.behance.net/Gallery/Burning-Man-2009-Part-II/334789
