Theater in a Crowded Fire
Theater in a Crowded Fire: Ritual and Spirituality at Burning Man
Every summer, thousands gather from around the world in the blistering heat of Nevada’s Black Rock Desert for the seven-day celebration of art, community, and fire known as Burning Man. Culminating in the spectacular incineration of a wooden effigy, this festival is grand-scale theater for self-expression, personal transformation, eclectic spirituality, communal bonding, and cultural renewal.
In this in depth ethnography of the Burning Man phenomenon, Lee Gilmore explores why “burners” come in vast numbers to transform a temporary gathering of strangers into an enduring community. Accompanied by a DVD, which provides panoramic views of events, individuals, artworks, and, of course, the climactic final night, the book delves into the varieties of spirituality, ritual, and performance conducted within the festival space
Hi Lee,
I work with Crimson on art projects here in Reno and am on the Advisory board for the black rock arts foundation. I am putting together a photo exhibit for the Reno Tahoe Airport and would like to quote from your book…i will of course acknowledge that…but then it occured to me that you might actually want to participate in the text I post for the show…
Basically the shows title is “The Culture of Burning Man” and I am looking for an introduction (I wanted to use the first paragraph on your sample page) There is going to be alot of “explanation type” posters because people have time to read in an airport. If you are interested in actually WRITING some of these I will send you the photos, the layout etc…OR I will just pull from your book and the website etc…just a thought…could plug your book in a subtle way..”special thanks to…whose book….blah blah blah”
Hi Lee,
I am very delighted that you have created this book. I am an academic reference/research librarian in Miami and a long-time burner (1997) and recently interviewed Larry for about an hour with Q & A from the audience at the American Library Association Conference held just last week in Washington, D.C. As chair of the Intellectual Freedom Round Table, it is my responsibility to plan our program, so what better program than to have a Burning Man event at a much of librarian’s and intellectual freedom advocates get-together! Larry mentioned your book and spoke about it with enthusiasm! I am excited to get a copy. I have also ordered many BM related titles for my university’s library collection (and my own!) I will be ordering yours shortly. I am also very glad that BM is getting more and more noticed by the academic community.
Congratulations and all best wishes,
See you on the playa!
~Lauren
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