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Burning Man releases its 2020 Temple addressing to medieval cosmic world

United States Architecture News - Jan 22, 2020 - 15:59   10552 views

Burning Man releases its 2020 Temple addressing to medieval cosmic world

Burning Man, an annual event held in the western United States at Black Rock City, has released its design for the 2020 Temple, designed by Colorado-based builder, architect, and sculptor Laurence "Renzo" Verbeck and Sylvia Adrienne Lisse, who is a veteran in large-scale and interactive art projects.

The festival, held once a year between specific dates, brings tens of thousands of people together in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert to create Black Rock City, a temporary metropolis dedicated to community, art, self-expression, and self-reliance. In this crucible of creativity, all new installations are placed and fired by designers at the end of the festival. 

The 2020 Burning Man will be held between August 30 - September 7, 2020 in the Nevada Desert. Announced by the Burning Man Journal, the 2020 Temple, called "Empyrean", will address to medieval cosmology and "represent the highest celestial point, the apex where humanity can touch the cosmic dimensions". "This sacred confluence is believed to be the birthplace of fire."

Burning Man releases its 2020 Temple addressing to medieval cosmic world

Reaching at its highest point 70' feet (21,33 meters), the temple's diameter will be reaching at 200’ feet (60,96 meters). The Empyrean Temple will form an eight-pointed star and include multiple entrances and exits.

"Each of the eight spokes starts from a zero point at the tip and gradually rises and widens to form a canopy at the center hub," as the Burning Man Journal highlights.

These big eight canopies create the sanctuary of the temple. The walls of the canopies will provide enough space to place offerings. Each wooden panels feature solid patterns of the spoke of the star and transforms itself as radiating, tessellated, artistic patterns at the wide end of the canopies. 

Burning Man releases its 2020 Temple addressing to medieval cosmic world

As sunlight enters inside and changes its reflection throughout the day, the canopies will be warmed by the light and transform its interior atmosphere and aura. 

"The creation of art, whether a large structure like Empyrean or molding a handful of clay, is a deeply fulfilling process," said Renzo. 

"It’s a lifelong calling without a name or voice. The energy, drive and cooperative creative spirit that envelopes collaborative creation, like a Temple build, inspired me to submit a Temple design for 2020 and lead people to the height of their individual and group potential."

Sylvia said: "The Temple is a subtle and humble beacon that radiates at an indescribable magnitude. It offers a safe, neutral place that can facilitate powerful healing. During my first burn in 2008 when I went into the Temple, its transcendent energy helped me heal the paralyzing grief I had been carrying from the loss of my twin brother. 

"That auspicious release allowed me to live life with a greater sense of love. I aim to create interactive heART, art from within the heart, that serves to help others find their own healing," she added.

To build the structure, the organizers of Burning Man have also launched an online campaign on Kickstarter to donate the installation. In order to be built, the campaign needs to reach US$ 75,000. 

All images courtesy of Burning Man Journal

> via Burning Man Journal