Eye candy: 40+ stunning photos from Burning Man 2013

Burning Man.

To some, it’s a mysterious event held on what could be considered another planet.

To others, it’s a way of life that culminates at an annual gathering in Nevada’s Black Rock desert.

Regardless of your personal experience (or lack thereof) with Burning Man culture, there’s no denying that it has defined itself as one of the most sought-after events of the year. A record total of 68,000 “burners” flocked to the desert for this year’s event.

Burning Man is best experienced rather than described, but it’s essentially a temporary city “dedicated to community, art, self-expression, and self-reliance.”

Very few onsite events are arranged by Burning Man organizers. Instead, all the musical performances, lectures, art installations, workshops, theme camps, and other features are curated by participants themselves. Black Rock City has a post office, daily newspaper, radio station, and more. Attendees pledge to “leave no trace” after the event concludes.

Since most of us didn’t get the chance to participate in this year’s event — held Aug. 26 through Sept. 2 — here’s a glimpse into the art and culture on the Burning Man playa:

Burning Man 2013 1 VIVEK SEKAR
Photo by Vivek Sekar
Burning man 2013 2 NEIL GIRLING
Photo by Neil Girling
Burning man 2013 3 NEIL GIRLING
Photo by Neil Girling
Burning man 2013 4 NEIL GIRLING
Photo by Neil Girling
Burning man 2013 5 NEIL GIRLING
Photo by Neil Girling
Burning man 2013 6 NEIL GIRLING
Photo by Neil Girling
Burning man 2013 7 NEIL GIRLING
Photo by Neil Girling
Burning man 2013 8 NEIL GIRLING
Photo by Neil Girling
Burning man 2013 9 NEIL GIRLING
Photo by Neil Girling
Burning man 2013 10 NEIL GIRLING
Photo by Neil Girling
Burning man 2013 11 NEIL GIRLING
Photo by Neil Girling
Burning man 2013 12 NEIL GIRLING
Photo by Neil Girling
Burning man 2013 13 NEIL GIRLING
Photo by Neil Girling
Burning man 2013 14 NEIL GIRLING
Photo by Neil Girling
Burning man 2013 15 NEIL GIRLING
Photo by Neil Girling
Burning man 2013 16 NEIL GIRLING
Photo by Neil Girling
Burning man 2013 17 NEIL GIRLING
Photo by Neil Girling
Burning man 2013 18 NEIL GIRLING
Photo by Neil Girling
Burning man 2013 19 NEIL GIRLING
Photo by Neil Girling
Burning man 2013 20 NEIL GIRLING
Photo by Neil Girling
Burning man 2013 21 NEIL GIRLING
Photo by Neil Girling
Burning man 2013 22 NEIL GIRLING
Photo by Neil Girling
Burning man 2013 23 TREY RATCLIFF
Photo by Trey Ratcliff
Burning man 2013 24 TREY RATCLIFF
Photo by Trey Ratcliff
Burning man 2013 25 DAVE RIMINGTON
Photo by Dave Rimington
Burning man 2013 26 DAVE RIMINGTON
Photo by Dave Rimington
Burning man 2013 27 DAVE RIMINGTON
Photo by Dave Rimington
Burning man 2013 28 TREY RATCLIFF
Photo by Trey Ratcliff
Burning man 2013 29 GEORGE KRIEGER
Photo by George Krieger
Burning man 2013 30 JEFF HUBER
Photo by Jeff Huber
Burning man 2013 31 JEFF HUBER
Photo by Jeff Huber
Burning man 2013 32 JEFF HUBER
Photo by Jeff Huber
Burning man 2013 33 JEFF HUBER
Photo by Jeff Huber
Burning man 2013 34 JEFF HUBER
Photo by Jeff Huber
Burning man 2013 35 ADAM BACCHUS
Photo by Adam Bacchus
Burning man 2013 36 ADAM BACCHUS
Photo by Adam Bacchus
Burning man 2013 37 CURTIS SIMMONS
Photo by Curtis Simmons
Burning man 2013 38 JIM URQUHART REUTERS
Photo by Jim Urquhart/Reuters
Burning man 2013 39 JIM URQUHART REUTERS
Photo by Jim Urquhart/Reuters
Burning man 2013 40 JIM URQUHART REUTERS
Photo by Jim Urquhart/Reuters
Burning man 2013 41 JONATHAN GOODY
Photo by Jonathan Goody
Burning man 2013 42 TREY RATCLIFF
Photo by Trey Ratcliff
Burning man 2013 43 CURTIS SIMMONS
Photo by Curtis Simmons
Burning man 2013 44 TREY RATCLIFF
Photo by Trey Ratcliff

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Kent Otto

Kent is founder and editor-in-chief. He's always had a love and passion for music of all types, but didn't discover the music festival scene and community until moving to Southern California during his early post-college years. He returned to his roots in the Midwest in 2011 and has since been determined to share the magic and beauty of the music scene with as many as possible. Email kent@edmcalendar.com.