Black Rock City at Night

Black Rock City shows its true nature as a city at night. For amazing as it is to witness the instant city in the desert by day, at night it lights up beyond any ordinary small town, made more amazing by the fact that it is entirely off the power grid.

Camps light up, sometimes literally like a Christmas tree, since Christmas lights are popular. Art is illuminated -- sometimes the illumination is the art. I attempted a night panorama with only limited success.

Of course, a large part of the light at night is fire. The pyres are few at the start but the night of the burn is an orgy of fire of which the burn is only one part.

BRC also comes alive at night simply because the day is too hot for many activities.

Is Burning Man friendly to morning people? Perhaps not, but at the same time they get to see the city in a mode the night people never see -- lit by the delecate desert sunset light, cool, and relatively quiet and empty.

(1280 x 854 - 78K)

The flying saucer roamed the playa all night.

(1280 x 854 - 40K)

Another view of the Man at night, with a fire already present at some installation.

(1280 x 854 - 44K)

The moon rises over the Man.

(1280 x 854 - 40K)

Every year, a fabulous Opera is done on a stage constructed specially for it. The stage is burned during the performance.

(1280 x 854 - 53K)

A close up of the Opera stage burning while performers dance.

(683 x 1024 - 35K)

The stage in full fire. Note how Pepe, the designer, arranged to have the flames shoot out the mouths and eyes of his demons.

(683 x 1024 - 31K)

A poor shot, but all I got, of K. in her glowstick suit. She had on black clothes and built a network of sticks. It was cool to see her walk at night.

(1280 x 854 - 69K)

Another shot of K., in front of ARF's glowing tunnel.