What it's like to visit Burning Man, one of the wildest, most surreal events in the world

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What it's like to visit Burning Man, one of the wildest, most surreal events in the world

Burning Man 2018

Levi Bernard for Business Insider

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Over the course of nine days, Black Rock City, Nevada, is overtaken by 70,000 people to become Burning Man, one of the wildest art events in the world.

This was the event's 33rd year on the desert playa, and it included hundreds of art installations, musical acts, and workshops. This year's theme was named for Isaac Asimov's science fiction novel, "I, Robot" - and much of the artwork reflected a computerized aesthetic.

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Here's what it was like inside:

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Burning Man takes place each year at the end of the summer. Up to 70,000 people gather from all over the world to become temporary residents of Black Rock City, Nevada.

Burning Man takes place each year at the end of the summer. Up to 70,000 people gather from all over the world to become temporary residents of Black Rock City, Nevada.

The temperature in the desert can reach up to 100 degrees, and shade is scarce.

The temperature in the desert can reach up to 100 degrees, and shade is scarce.
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On the first day of the event, a windstorm swept the playa.

On the first day of the event, a windstorm swept the playa.

Dust masks and goggles were a necessity for anyone attending.

Dust masks and goggles were a necessity for anyone attending.
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As for clothing, some attendees opted for bathing suits ...

As for clothing, some attendees opted for bathing suits ...

... while others chose tutus.

... while others chose tutus.
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Butterfly capes were also a popular clothing choice ...

Butterfly capes were also a popular clothing choice ...

... while some people flaunted unconventional face-wear, like this festival-goer at a Whitney Houston tribute party.

... while some people flaunted unconventional face-wear, like this festival-goer at a Whitney Houston tribute party.
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Burning Man is founded on principles that encourage radical self-reliance, self-expression, and inclusion.

Burning Man is founded on principles that encourage radical self-reliance, self-expression, and inclusion.

While there's no headliner event at Burning Man, there are hundreds of activities to do throughout the day.

While there's no headliner event at Burning Man, there are hundreds of activities to do throughout the day.
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Something called "Coffee and Cattle Prods" was advertised on the door of a portable bathroom.

Something called "Coffee and Cattle Prods" was advertised on the door of a portable bathroom.

One man got an aerial perspective on the festival from a gigantic swing.

One man got an aerial perspective on the festival from a gigantic swing.
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Bullhorns were the preferred method of communicating on the playa.

Bullhorns were the preferred method of communicating on the playa.

With little-to-no cellphone reception on the playa, walkie-talkies helped people stay in touch.

With little-to-no cellphone reception on the playa, walkie-talkies helped people stay in touch.
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Each year, Burning Man has a new theme — this year's was named for Isaac Asimov's science fiction novel, "I, Robot."

Each year, Burning Man has a new theme — this year's was named for Isaac Asimov's science fiction novel, "I, Robot."

The playa was home to hundreds of art pieces.

The playa was home to hundreds of art pieces.
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Robots were a big part of the artwork on the playa.

Robots were a big part of the artwork on the playa.

Many pieces of art took months — if not years — to build.

Many pieces of art took months — if not years — to build.
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An enormous silver orb was a focal point on the playa.

An enormous silver orb was a focal point on the playa.

It also served as the site of an impromptu concert.

It also served as the site of an impromptu concert.
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Some of the art was interactive. This piano was located along the outer regions of the playa ...

Some of the art was interactive. This piano was located along the outer regions of the playa ...

... while this "Playa Barbie" box has provided a popular photo-op over the years.

... while this "Playa Barbie" box has provided a popular photo-op over the years.
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This puppet's outfit changed several times over the course of the week.

This puppet's outfit changed several times over the course of the week.

A 50-foot-tall statue called "Desert Guard" weighed 12 tons and was shipped from China's Gobi Desert to Black Rock City.

A 50-foot-tall statue called "Desert Guard" weighed 12 tons and was shipped from China's Gobi Desert to Black Rock City.

Source: Burner Podcast

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Burning Man takes place over seven square miles. The easiest way to get around the playa was either by biking or hitching a ride on an art car.

Burning Man takes place over seven square miles. The easiest way to get around the playa was either by biking or hitching a ride on an art car.

Most people decked out their bicycles.

Most people decked out their bicycles.
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But a big draw each year is the art cars. In Black Rock City, the vehicles — also known as "mutant vehicles" — aren't allowed to exceed a speed limit of five miles per hour.

But a big draw each year is the art cars. In Black Rock City, the vehicles — also known as "mutant vehicles" — aren't allowed to exceed a speed limit of five miles per hour.

Modes of transport were typically unconventional ...

Modes of transport were typically unconventional ...
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... and occasionally extra-terrestrial.

... and occasionally extra-terrestrial.

This art car was covered in neon.

This art car was covered in neon.
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These two chicken art cars attracted a lively crowd.

These two chicken art cars attracted a lively crowd.

Most art cars doubled as roving parties.

Most art cars doubled as roving parties.
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This art car hosted a daytime party.

This art car hosted a daytime party.

This massive jaguar art car was built by a team of Colombian artists.

This massive jaguar art car was built by a team of Colombian artists.
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At night, it turned into a mobile party with lights and a DJ.

At night, it turned into a mobile party with lights and a DJ.

Parties on the playa continued throughout the day and night ...

Parties on the playa continued throughout the day and night ...
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... and this hollowed-out 747 doubled as a massive party spot at night.

... and this hollowed-out 747 doubled as a massive party spot at night.

At night, the desert playa was lit up by neon ...

At night, the desert playa was lit up by neon ...
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... as were the people.

... as were the people.

Snacks like cinnamon toast were passed out late at night.

Snacks like cinnamon toast were passed out late at night.
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Every year on the last night of the festival, a wooden effigy of a man is set on fire — that's where Burning Man gets its name.

Every year on the last night of the festival, a wooden effigy of a man is set on fire — that's where Burning Man gets its name.

Festival goers come to celebrate. On the night of the burn, this man wielded a large saber.

Festival goers come to celebrate. On the night of the burn, this man wielded a large saber.
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While the event is open to visitors for only nine days, it takes months for the entire city to be disassembled, leaving no trace of its prior existence ...

While the event is open to visitors for only nine days, it takes months for the entire city to be disassembled, leaving no trace of its prior existence ...

... until the following year when it returns.

... until the following year when it returns.
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