EGO DEATH - THE DESOLATE LANDSCAPES OF BURING MAN
Started by Larry Harvey, John Law, and Jerry James in 1991, Burning Man was founded on the ideals of radical inclusion, gifting, radical self-reliance, radical self-expression, communal effort, civic responsibility, leaving no trace, participation, and immediacy. It takes place in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada.
By Duncan Rawlinson
PROJECT
For this project, key book pages were designed, including a contents page, spreads featuring full photos, small photos, full text, and a combination of photos and text. A physical book with front and back covers was also designed.
By Duncan Rawlinson
By Duncan Rawlinson
APPROACH + PROCESS
Though Burning Man is best known for fire and large crowds, the book focuses on the vast desert landscape juxtaposed with giant man-made sculptures. The omission of these two elements creates an eerie and otherworldly feeling. Using the work of a few long-attending Burners, a selection of daytime photographs was chosen. These visuals highlight the chosen approach of isolation.
To keep with Burning Man traditions, a physical book was hand-built and set on fire.
OUTCOME
To further express the feeling of isolation and disconnect seen in the selected photos, bitmap and monospaced typefaces were used to give the final project a mechanical feeling that was devoid of human interaction. This was also done to make a connection to the fact that the festival has grown apart from its original ideals and is now a destination spot for celebrities, influencers, and Silicon Valley hotshots.
Features photos by Duncan Rawlinson.