The Temple of Promise

temple

For four years in a row, the temples of Black Rock City have been palatial, romantic, classical in design. Time’s up. Some members of the 2015 Temple crew worked on the enchantingly abstract, boundary-pushing Temple of Flux five years ago, and they have brought that same fluid, organic inspiration to this year’s design: the Temple of Promise.

templemid

The Temple of Promise is a guide. It’s a calming hand, and it’s a listening ear. Nestled in its center is a grove of trees. It’s no tower or pyramid or other such shape dictated by logic alone. It is no less a temple for its lifelike forms. It is more.

Scattered amidst the flow of the Temple area, wooden sculptures shaped like stones form a soft boundary. The tapering spiral of the main structure provides shelter and quiet. The lobed spire at its opening will tower 97 feet high. The tail of the building curls into a circle around the open-air grove, a container well suited for gatherings. The trees will be bare at the beginning of the week, but participants will leave their messages on strips of white cloth, which they will hang from the trees like the leaves of a weeping willow.

templegrove

In addition to the 2010 Temple of Flux, team members have worked in the past with artist Dan Fox on some of the playa’s most imposing and impressive sculptures ever: the Trojan Horse in 2011, Anubis in 2012, and the Alien Siege Machine in 2014. Others have volunteered on past temples in 2007, 2008, 2011, and 2013. This practice and expertise will serve them well. But it is clear from the design of the Temple of Promise that this team brings with it another complementary power that cannot be learned, only listened to: intuition.

Want to get involved? The team is working on their website and volunteer intake process, but in the meantime, like their Facebook page to stay in the loop.

About the author: Jon Mitchell

Jon Mitchell

, a.k.a. Argus, was publisher of the Burning Man Journal, the Jackrabbit Speaks newsletter, and the Burning Man website from 2016 to 2019. He joined the Comm Team as a volunteer in 2010 and as year-round staff in 2014. He co-wrote a big story about spending 24 hours at the Temple of Juno in 2012. His first Burn was in 2008.

26 Comments on “The Temple of Promise

  • Britewad says:

    It is magnificent! Can’t wait to see it through the dust….great selection!

    Report comment

    • Dan Fox says:

      The Iron Crew will present and follow Tigan’s lead. Jazz has the support of the crew who supported my vision, and it is in a word splendid. The Iron Crew is as resourceful as it is visionary. The Iron Crew does not disappoint. Godspeed to Mr. Tigan and his endeavor! Bravo!

      Report comment

  • TJ says:

    Beautiful design….. Temple of Flux was the temple my first year and I loved it. Have been hoping for something like that ever since. The big, ‘cathedral like’ structures of the last few years have been very impressive, but personally I found them a bit too ‘real world’ and disturbing in what I perceived to be a contest to see who could make the most grandiose structure. Well done guys… I can hardly wait to explore it.
    Texas Joe (Barbie Day Spa 2010-2015)

    Report comment

  • Officer CupKate says:

    This looks and sounds so incredibly lovely! I can’t wait to see the temple changed up a little this year. And I love trees so the idea of the trees being filled with messages all week and ending up looking like wheeping willows sounds perfect to me. The temple is and has always been my favorite part of burning man. I can’t wait to sit inside and feel. Thank you for the temple of Promise!

    Report comment

  • Gavin walker says:

    it looks truely heavenly. Although this years burning man marks my first attendance I have followed the look of the temple for some years and am always blown away by the shear brilliance of its design. I cannot wait to stand inside this gorgeous structure this year.

    Report comment

  • Fiyre Lights says:

    Just one more reason to be really excited about burning man this year! Way to go guys, it looks beautiful!

    Report comment

  • Amandazon says:

    Big Smile… I’m thinking of coming back this year… After 5 years…

    Report comment

    • Gerflash says:

      Bit of a weepy smile here, since after 10 yrs, I can’t attend this year, tho’ my theme camp will be there. Looks beautiful; I expect them to take notes and report back. C U in 2016.

      Report comment

  • Val says:

    I am enamored by this structure…and feel it is the perfect temple. It is like the Burning Man cornucopia – carrying hopes, dreams, art, and spiritual healing and reminding everyone who walks through it to be thankful for life and the experience that is…..Burning Man! I truly cannot wait! Beautiful job all.

    Report comment

  • amber says:

    isn’t that top photo a matthias pliessing design? the others look different but the top looks like a straight copy.

    Report comment

  • Faith says:

    It truly appears “PISTIC!” Creativity is personal or it can be collaboration with only one Primary goal is to orchestrate and execute a desired overall effect to inspirer and enjoyed by all.
    Thank You So Very Much

    Report comment

  • Sandi Levine says:

    Gorgeous idea for the temple. I love the trees as well. Really reminds me of Kate Radenbush’s Wishing Tree sculpture.

    Report comment

  • LaVon Collins says:

    Beautiful design! Great choice. Cannot wait to see it in person & watch it burn.

    Report comment

  • Dan Fox says:

    The Iron Crew will present and follow Tigan’s lead. Jazz has the support of the crew who supported my vision, and it is in a word splendid. The Iron Crew is as resourceful as it is visionary. The Iron Crew does not disappoint. Godspeed to Mr. Tigan and his endeavor! Bravo!

    Report comment

  • Phoenix says:

    I think this is my favorite one yet. Can’t WAIT to see experience it!!

    Report comment

  • SarahS says:

    It looks simply gorgeous! My only concern… messages on the trees, not really sheltered from the wind… won’t that be super MOOP-y? Usually messages are inside the structure.

    Report comment

  • RangerJoshua says:

    I saw the picture on my computer screen and began weeping.

    Report comment

  • Uncle Bullhorn says:

    It looks amazing. Can’t wait to see it in person.

    Report comment

  • Jeff says:

    It looks very climbable. I hope no one makes that mistake. Temple guardians will have to keep a close eye on that.

    Report comment

  • Timleess says:

    This design is magnificent. It’s elegant, masterful and worthy of all of your support and dedication. Less is soooo much more.

    It would be the honor of my life to burn my 30 foot depiction of The Man, carved from a huge twin tree stump, as close to this temple as the builders will allow. Fond wishes…

    Report comment

  • splinter says:

    when I see these works of art, spirit and dreams, I realize how little vision I have. That I get to experience these bold and adventurous structures, I am humbled. Damn, you creators are good!!! Yeah, this is Burning Man and the in-person experience is something that must be experienced and can, with great difficulty, only be described in faint tones to someone who has not experienced the temples in person. What a feeling!

    Report comment

  • Hea says:

    That big sail is going to make for some transcendent vortices during dust storms. Beautiful.

    Report comment

  • Comments are closed.