One of the biggest cultural events of the calendar year, Burning Man sees 70,000 people voyaging to the playa of Nevada’s Black Rock Desert to build a temporary civilisation free from the usual societal constraints. It has become iconic in its scope and identity, and now, ahead of Burning Man 2019, a new photo book has been released that offers a stunning insider’s perspective on the famous event.
Called Compass of the Ephemeral, the photobook presents a collection of landscape, aerial and drone images taken by the event’s first Director of Operations and Cultural Co-Founder Will Roger between 2005 and 2018. The images have been put together in a never-before-seen collection along with those taken by other photographers. Published by Small Works Press, a local Las Vegas independent company, the book maps the dramatic expansion of Burning Man since its conception in 1986, focusing specifically on how Black Rock City has changed.
“This book provides some insight and documentation into the development and growth of the temporary metropolis that is created and disappears each year on Nevada’s Black Rock Desert. It tells the story of growth, community engagement and artistic interaction. The reader will gain insight into the inner working, challenges and decisions that made the growth possible. The aerial photographs, while taken with an artistic intention, also are documents of Black Rock City blossoming over 14 years. This book has an intriguing blend of artwork, photographs and essays that make up an entertaining insight into a portion of its history,” Author Will Roger told Lonely Planet Travel News.
One of the event’s most famous sights each year are the intricate and astounding art projects, sculptures and interactive displays created by its attendees. In the book, Will Roger documents these projects, from the planning stages through to completion.
Compass of the Ephemeral is available through the official Small Works Press website.
