Forms of Participation
and Artworks
and Artworks
Theme Camps
Theme camps are the most common form of participation in events based on Burning Man’s principles — and the foundation of everyone’s involvement in bringing these events to life. Groups of participants come together around a shared idea: an activity, an art installation, a space for concerts, a dance floor, a chill-out area, an immersive performance, or a game. Each of these requires organization, collective planning, teamwork, and active involvement throughout the event.
Art Cars
Art cars are vehicles transformed into moving works of art, stages, bars, or dance floors. They can run on wheels or sled runners, powered by steam or even oars. An art car should move, be extraordinary, draw delighted crowds, invite people in, inspire and engage them — and, most importantly, give rides to anyone who wants one. Art cars become magnets for people, transforming the event grounds into a living, constantly moving city.
Artworks
Artworks can take many forms: sculptures, installations, interactive pieces, light-based or kinetic works, and much more. We especially value interactivity in the art at our events, although it's not a requirement. What makes our artworks special is that each one is created for a specific event. We don't move them to other venues or recreate them for future events.
Individual Participation
Projects based on the principles of gifting and self-expression can be brought to life by just one person, or by a small group of two or three. These might be small-scale or minimalist artworks, or one-off performances.
Iskorka
Iskorka is the centerpiece of Ogonyok — the heart of its temporary city and our counterpart to the Man at Burning Man. It stands for several days before being spectacularly burned on the event's climactic night. Each time, Iskorka takes on a new form, with its own architectural features, and is built by a different team. Although the burning of Iskorka is a tradition, each time it offers participants a completely new and extraordinary experience — and an unforgettable spectacle.
Temple
The Temple is Ogonyok’s second recurring art installation — its quiet side. Every year, it is created anew, taking on a different form while carrying the same meaning. There is no dancing or celebrating here. Instead, participants turn inward, share their innermost feelings, and leave messages, wishes, and sometimes their pain. Whatever they are ready to let go of. On the final night, the Temple is burned in silence, without music. And it feels as though the weight of everything entrusted to it over those few days rises with the sparks and disappears, leaving behind a sense of lightness and space for new experiences.
Snezhinka
Snezhinka (Snowflake) is the symbol of Kholodok, our winter gathering — much like Iskorka at Ogonyok and the Man at Burning Man. In designing each new sculpture, the building team draws inspiration from the natural properties of snowflakes: their symmetry, fractal patterns, and uniqueness. Just as no two snowflakes in nature are alike, no two versions of Snezhinka share the same architectural design. And each burning becomes a visually unique performance.
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