Burning Man (2022.08 - 2022.09)
The Black Rock Playa in Northwestern Nevada is the site of the annual Burning Man festival. Each year, artists convene in tradition to exhibit their work on a flatbed amidst the scorching desert of the American West. When a sandstorm sweeps through the playa on an otherwise clear, sunny day, the light, sound, and visibility of the environment all fluctuate with each passing second. Every gust of wind carries a varying density of dust, causing the sculptures and figures to pulsate, imbuing static objects with life. I was drawn to dynamic conditions within an expensive landscape, away from the crowds. It was anticipating the decisive moment when the dust cleared enough to see the motif while still retaining a consistent backdrop of dust. The lack of control extended to my inability to review my exposure on negative film and adjust accordingly. There was no linear sense of time or place, only a profound feeling of presence and isolation. The sandstorm seemed to harmonise with the artwork, creating a reverie that I now reflect upon through pictures.
Chosen Winner of American Photography 40.
