The Temple, Axis Mundi
Temple of the Moon
Moonlight Collective and the Temple Build Crew, Lead Artist James Gwertzman — Oakland, CA, United States
Open PlayaHonorariumBay Area, this year
About
The Temple of the Moon is inspired by the Queen of the Night flower, a fragrant desert cactus blossom (Epiphyllum oxypetalum) which blooms only once each year, at night, and whose flowers wilt before dawn. In this act of ephemeral beauty, we find a profound metaphor for our own brief beautiful lives on this planet, as well as for Burning Man itself, which blossoms each year in the dust of the playa, and then disappears without a trace. We believe that this act of impermanence demands presence. The flower blooms for only a few hours. If you blink, you will miss it. The only possible response is to slow down, to be as present as possible, and to witness.
Compiled from Burning Man Project’s public art listing. Not affiliated with, endorsed, or verified by Burning Man Project.