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Temple 2017
About us
The form of the Temple begins with life out of balance. Throughout the Sierra Nevada, species of pine trees are dying, compromised by a bark beetle which has proliferated due to human interruption of the cycle of forest fires and climate change. The material of these trees, donated to our project, harvested and milled, becomes the basic building block of the Temple.
Interlocking timber pieces in formation become a Temple that is both cloud and spire; inverted pyramidal columns suggest the negative-space of a forest canopy, simultaneously supporting a vast pagoda-like ‘cloud’ framework which in turn supports a central spire. In this way disorder gives way to harmony, and a group of dying trees is re-ordered into a cathedral of timbers stretching toward the sky; filtered sun rays will illuminate the intricate work of hundreds of hands building in unison; a collaboration that knits together a community as roots intertwine to give a healthy forest stability.
The Temple builds on lessons learned through designing and building with David Best: it will have a courtyard where groups can gather; exterior altars and alcoves where individuals can find moments of respite; shelves and places for people to place meaningful objects; and at its center, a large interior space with an altar for gathering.
Burning Man allows people to share, connect and heal through a culture of spontaneous creativity. We come to the Black Rock Desert with all the joy, eagerness, dreams and dedication we need to craft a great city, but we also bring with us the feelings of grief, fear, sorrow and anger we all sometimes encounter. For most of us, everyday life presents few opportunities to address and resolve these feelings.
Forests, like our human societies, are complex ecosystems where individuals are interconnected in ways that are difficult to comprehend. Such beauty can only be marveled at, never fully explained. Through a timeless process of natural renewal, forests are cleared of old growth by... show more wildfire, making way for new life. But the way we manage forests today stops this cycle short, disrupting a natural balance that finds equilibrium on its own in time. We’ve learned that even small changes to a delicate system can have vast consequences, and we are seeing entire landscapes transform before our eyes. Fire was once an important part of the natural ecological cycle. This burn will be a reminder of the sacred role of fire in our environment and the role that humans can play as responsible stewards of fire.
So it is with these fallen trees that we propose to bring a temple to life in a desert. Just as a forest’s ecology is renewed through fire, our spirit is restored by the Temple Burn. The process ignites within us an awareness of life’s final truth: death, and awakens a kind of honest compassion that allows us to bear the pain of another’s loss as if it were our own. It’s in this way that we can help each other heal, and together, refocus our minds on our journeys ahead. show more
Recommendations and reviews from 1 person
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Referral from
July 25, 2017
Lindsey A. asked:Hi, does anyone know any camps that need more volunteers? I am in the bay area and can help out before and/or during Burning Man. It is my first time going and I would love to get involved with a camp.Derek L. replied:Thanks for volunteering your time/energy! Have you considered volunteering with the Temple crew? They build the Temple every year, and afaik they are 1) always in need of more hands, and 2) a good crew to work with http://www.temple2017.org
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