Commentary: The highs, lows and sacrifices of building a giant theme camp at Burning Man

As I read through this heartfelt account of Burning Man’s last day, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of admiration and camaraderie for those intrepid souls who embark on such an extraordinary journey each year. Having never attended Burning Man myself, I can only imagine the trials and tribulations that Victoria Cotler and her fellow Burners faced as they navigated the dusty playa, battling against the elements to build their camp, Frothville.

Attending Burning Man is no walk in the park; it demands a high level of self-reliance from participants. You’ll need to stock up on food, water, and essential supplies for at least seven days, as you’ll be enduring harsh desert conditions with scarce resources – ice being the only commodity available for sale. The experience involves an endless cycle of packing, loading, unloading, setting up, breaking down, repacking, reloading, unloading, and then repeating this process again. In the midst of all this, your body and mind are drained of essential fluids and serotonin, while everything you bring back accumulates a layer of corrosive alkaline dust that travels with you after the event.

If you decide to manage a large theme camp with more than 300 people, it’s almost like planning for a decade-long war, such as the Trojan War. Some people who are unaware of Burning Man culture may think that the city’s intricate art installations, sculptures, stages, theme camps, and art cars are produced by companies like Goldenvoice or Insomniac. However, the truth is that most of what you see at Burning Man is imagined, designed, constructed, and funded by its dedicated and resourceful participants – who are typically not supported by tech tycoons or millionaires.

Just like how Burning Man started as a small group on Baker Beach in the 1980s, known as “Frothin’ Weirdos,” Frothville emerged from humble beginnings with its claim to fame being their legendary sunrise ribs and champagne parties accompanied by music from renowned Burner Random Rab. Over the years, this group grew, absorbing other camps, and eventually evolved into Frothville. In 2023, they achieved a successful merger, and this year’s leaders – Jesse Albright, Gus Irwin, and Zachary Cotler – have decided to embark on their most ambitious project yet.

At Frothville, the main attraction included a 50-foot wedding dome, auxiliary facilities, and a five-story rectangular tower known as “The Gallery,” positioned on Burning Man’s bustling Esplanade – its primary thoroughfare. The Gallery was covered in white vinyl, with vibrant projection mapping adorning its exterior, making it easily visible from across the playa, acting as a guiding light during the nighttime’s disoriented state.

Over the course of eight months, team members at the camp, including their support staff, put in well over 40 hours per week on this project. In the weeks leading up to the event that started in late August, they even increased these hours nearly twice as much. The initial budget for this project was $440,000, but it eventually reached around $650,000, a significant portion of which was raised by us, the campers, along with contributions from the Gallery Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports artists year-round. While the Gallery’s architectural accomplishment drew gasps of admiration from visitors, the business operations leading up to it were quite challenging.

My second year with Frothville was a very different experience from last year — and not just because of the biblical rainfall that smattered headlines. The 2023 iteration was more intimate with a deeper sense of connection and camaraderie among camp mates, despite hosting over 200 people. There was a playfulness and affability that was lacking this year, and was instead replaced by tension, haughtiness, indifference and downright rudeness — a sentiment that I heard from multiple camp mates, both old and new. I made many attempts to help and befriend unfamiliar faces, and was often met with biting disrespect, aloof rejection or condescending remarks. There were several people who did not lift a finger and blew off their work shifts, forcing other campers to step up and keep things running. It was jarring and incongruous, especially because the Burning Man community has long been a source of love, connection and communal effort, particularly within Frothville.

Troubles arose right from the start, as rain and wind hampered work progress and some helpers were unable to obtain early entry passes, leaving them stranded in neighboring towns. Despite this, the tower construction went on long past its scheduled opening day, with visitors arriving expecting live shows from artists like Treavor Moontribe but instead finding a building site – a scenario often seen on the playa. Shifts were rescheduled frequently and haphazardly, leading to uncertainty among campers about when and how to pitch in (another frequent issue). Some participants found ways to contribute, while others saw it as an excuse to shirk their duties. However, those who showed up committed were able to handle the situation with style, a few swigs of alcohol, near-death experiences, and plenty of laughter. Such is Burning Man.

At first, the tower was seen as an innovative milestone and a generous contribution to Black Rock City. However, it later sparked disagreements among camp leaders and builders, leaving many with displeasure and defeat. Near the middle of the week, when the tower finally became operational, I noticed expressions of joy and satisfaction on the faces of those who had invested their blood, sweat, and (a few minor) tears into this project. Some individuals whom I previously interacted with negatively were all smiles and hugs as they released the stress of safely constructing a massive structure under time pressure. Despite its flaws, setbacks, and delays, the mission was successfully completed. The countless attendees who appreciated its features remained oblivious to its challenging origins.

There were numerous triumphs – for instance, the lavish acrobats and fiery dancers who brought our dance area to life. A continuous influx of exceptional musicians attracted people from every nook of the playa, with visitors from other camps amazed by its grandeur and scale, seemingly unconcerned about how it came together. Beneath the surface tension within the camp, there was plenty to be thankful for, along with the incredible, bold, and gifted individuals who made it happen, many of whom I am fortunate enough to consider friends. Indeed, such is Burning Man.

Following the muddy chaos of the previous year, the deities of BRC granted us a week filled with perfect weather: minimal dust, warm days, and cool nights. However, when we thought we had avoided another weather-related incident, a sudden whiteout dust storm blanketed the sky on September 1 – the final day of Burning Man.

As a cinema enthusiast, I found myself saying something along these lines: “It felt like Mt. Vesuvius erupting, spewing ash everywhere, and we were about to become the next Pompeii,” expressed Victoria Cotler, Zachary’s partner who had the pleasure of celebrating their wedding at our camp’s venue. The conditions were so dismal that the temple flames seemed to pulsate eerily rather than burn brightly, and unfortunately, the demolition of the tower, along with the wedding dome and other essential structures, was delayed. The Exodus turned into a treacherous trail of tail lights flickering through the dust like dying fireflies, making us fear we’d be stuck breaking down our camps until the end of the week.

As reported by Jesse Albright, the lead from Frothville, approximately 100 individuals had initially pledged assistance in dismantling the camp. By September 3rd, only 15 were left, working tirelessly for over 20 hours a day under hazardous windy conditions to adhere to Burning Man’s fundamental principle: “leave no trace.” Despite their determination, Albright expressed his disappointment, exhaustion, and dishevelment in a desperate plea on the Frothville WhatsApp group, asking for monetary donations to hire additional laborers. Given the circumstances – a weeklong delay with dwindling resources, manpower, and spirit – it was a reasonable request. Shortly after his message was shared, donations began pouring in. For those who had to leave on Sunday due to work or personal obligations, this became an opportunity to contribute and alleviate the feeling of missing out on helping their struggling strike team.

Constructing a massive theme camp isn’t a simple or swift process. There will be setbacks, there will be failures, but there will also be triumphs earned through hard work. While Burners are known for their civic responsibility and teamwork, they’re still human, which means mistakes are inevitable – especially when you gather over 60,000 of them in unusual situations. However, some relationships were tested and may have ended, while others grew stronger. By September 4th, everything was dismantled, and the final tasks were nearly complete. After enduring such a challenging experience, many are left wondering if it was worth it. In Cotler’s opinion, it definitely was. “Well, aren’t we masochists?” he quips. “Yes, of course it was worth it, and we would do it again because that’s what Burning Man is. The beauty of a large Burning Man camp lies in the people who create it.

Attending Burning Man is far from a picture-perfect experience. It requires physical effort and plenty of perspiration. Using portable toilets is unavoidable, and there’s always a risk of injury. Your plans can easily go awry, schedules are hardly reliable, and setting expectations might lead to disappointment. You may feel overwhelmed and contemplate leaving at dusk only to be ecstatic on an art car by midnight. You could embark on a challenging project that causes disagreements and frustration, but in the end, it’s likely to be cherished as a remarkable masterpiece that brought happiness despite the challenges. If you can find pleasure amidst the difficulties, then you’ve truly grasped the spirit of Burning Man.

Victoria emphasizes that it’s essential to accept imperfections. She explains that the focus shouldn’t be on ourselves, but rather on the shared beauty we’re creating together. Regardless of any challenges or difficulties faced during the process, we need to present a positive front and lead by example. Even if the journey was tough or stressful, let’s express gratitude and happiness for the benefit of our community as a whole.

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2024-09-09 13:32