Local AZ Burners are gathering this weekend to iGNiGHT the fire for the first time as Alwun House Foundation celebrates the Burning Man Project.
Kristin Wesley, founder of iGNiGHT said the event is not just an art exhibition, and attendees get to experience a slight glimpse of what burner culture can bring through self-expression, art and collective efforts all shaped from the ten principles of Burning Man.
Ruvi Wijesuriya, a long time burner, said “radical inclusion, self-expression and gifting are some of the principles that make up the distinctive and particular art culture.”
Burning Man culture places emphasis on community with expressions through art.
The first Burning Man was introduced at the beach in San Francisco in 1986, where Larry Harvey and his friend Jerry James lit wooden figures on fire during the summer solstice.
As the burner culture grew the community shifted to Nevada’s Black Rock City, where the annual event has brought up to 70,000 attendees.
“iGNiGHT will be a more attainable version of Burning Man, it can bring new opportunities to the art culture in downtown Phoenix,” said Wesley.
The event will bring fire performers, interactive sculptures, live music, performance art, and lectures by long-time burners and artists.
“It differs from other art showcases where one usually just views the art, the burning culture allows attendees to be part of the art and contribute to the art exhibit themselves,” said Wesley.
Morgan Wilburn, an academic counselor at the University of Phoenix, has been a burner since 2013. He said Burning Man makes you feel like a kid again and to learn how to have fun.
“People live in such a pressing society full of oriented goals, Burning Man helps loosen some of those expectations that life throws at you,” said Wilburn. “Burning Man helps people see things in a different light, everyone is welcome and individuals can express themselves and support one another in a judge-free zone.”
Wilburn is an artist who specializes in interactive artwork that invites attendees to participate in and have a good time with.
Wijesuriya said Burning Man culture is about participants going out of their way to their share their art and abilities and have the time to connect with one another.
Lance Greathouse has partaken in a number of fire pieces, robots and sculptures. One of his latest art pieces is an elaborated tailgating machine on wheels that will help assist with rides for individuals who use wheelchairs during iGNiGHT.
“There are many myths and misconceptions about Burning Man—about it being just a party drug-crazed festival—it’s nothing like that at all,” said Wijesuriya.
Wijesuriya said Burning Man culture brings many individuals of all backgrounds from doctors to artists and students, among others, who all come together and are involved with the art scene.
“Burning Man is a group of very friendly, warmhearted people who come together to admire elaborate artwork while connecting socially through those experiences,” said Greathouse.
Contact the reporter at rroble11@asu.edu.
