What is Burnable Art?
Burnable Art is a powerful and unique art form that merges creativity with the impermanence of fire. This type of art is intentionally created to be destroyed by fire, often symbolising themes of release, transformation, and the transient nature of existence. The practice is most famously associated with large-scale works like the Effigy and Temple of Kiwiburn, where monumental sculptures, installations, and structures are built with the knowledge that they will eventually be set ablaze, serving as a ritualistic and cathartic experience for participants. However, some of the most impactful burnable artworks are small and intimate.
The process of creating Burnable Art encourages an exploration of impermanence. The knowledge that the artwork will be consumed by fire challenges the artist to rethink traditional concepts of permanence in art. It asks, “what if the most profound meaning lies not in the artwork’s longevity, but in its temporary existence?”. The impermanence of Burnable Art also challenges how people think about art itself. In many ways, it asks the audience to reconsider the value of a work of art – its value is not in its’ permanence but in its’ experience and the emotions it provokes. This defies traditional expectations in the art world, where value is often tied to longevity, monetary worth, or historical significance.
Burnable Art is deeply tied to ritual and catharsis. The act of watching a Burnable Art piece go up in flames can be emotionally charged – whether it brings feelings of grief, closure, joy, or liberation. The fire becomes a symbol of the destruction of past hurts, memories, or experiences, allowing participants to feel as if they are shedding something from their lives. The burning process often evokes a sense of communal bonding as people collectively witness the release and transformation, and this shared moment can lead to powerful feelings of connection and healing.
The creation of Burnable Art is a technically challenging and highly intentional process. Artists use materials that are not only flammable but also suitable for intricate carving and shaping. These materials also contribute to the artwork’s eventual transformation—how they burn, the speed at which they disintegrate, and the colors, patterns and sounds they produce in the flames can enhance the spiritual or emotional impact of the burning process.
Burnable Art requires meticulous planning. The structure needs to be stable and safe for audience participation before the burning and be able to withstand the build-up of heat before it falls in the blaze. Artists need to consider how the piece will burn—how long it will take, whether there will be any dramatic moments or effects during the burning, and how the destruction will unfold in a way that enhances the intended meaning of the piece.
An inspired artist commits to producing the largest and most pivotal works of our event, teams of volunteers review proposals and select the works. The lead artists are facilitated to execute their vision with a budget, planning support, engineers and safety teams and logistics coordination to get things to the Paddock. Crews of builders work tirelessly to bring the vision to life, transforming raw materials into intricate sculptures or structures that will ultimately burn in spectacular fashion. Pyrotechnic specialists play a key role in enhancing the visual and emotional impact of the burn. They carefully orchestrate dramatic effects during the burning, creating moments that resonate with the audience and amplify the intended meaning of the artwork whilst also allowing for the structures to burn and fall safely and in a timely manner.
Together, these diverse teams work to realize incredible artworks that are not only feats of creativity but also of engineering and collaboration. Their combined expertise ensures that the process of creation, the experience of the burn, and the resulting release are safe, awe-inspiring, and meaningful for all involved.
The Effigy
Origins of the Burning Man Effigy:
The first appearance of a “Burning Man” Effigy dates back to 1986, when the event was not yet a festival but a spontaneous gathering. It was originally an art piece created by Larry Harvey, one of the founders of Burning Man. Harvey, along with a few friends, built a 9-foot wooden figure on Baker Beach in San Francisco and set it on fire to celebrate the summer solstice. This initial bonfire was not part of a larger festival but simply an expression of creative and personal release. The fire itself was an important element for Harvey, symbolizing a form of transformation and a way of confronting and letting go of the past. The burning of the figure attracted a small crowd, and it became an act of communal celebration and catharsis. The Effigy, even in its early, small form, sparked an interest in others who began to see it as a unique, creative, and symbolic act of self-expression. 1990 saw the event move to the Black Rock Desert in Nevada, where it was officially dubbed Burning Man. The Effigy also grew in size as the event expanded. The burning of the Effigy became a key part of the festival’s rituals and a focal point of the celebration. The size, design, and materials used for the Effigy have changed over the years, with each iteration often reflecting the themes of the festival and the personal and collective expressions of the participants. The Effigy has grown from a simple, hand-made figure to complex, intricate sculptures that are sometimes (not always!) accompanied by pyrotechnic displays and other theatrical elements.
Burnable Art at Kiwiburn
The two burnable artworks of Kiwiburn have origins in the burnable artworks of Burning Man. We honour the roots of inspiration and yet, these artworks are unique to us. The artists of our community design them, crews of our community facilitate and build them and we participate in them together at Kiwiburn. In this year’s Kiwiburn 25 community survey we asked ‘what do the Effigy and the Temple mean to you’? Highlighting the origins of our big burns, we tried to encapsulate the sentiments of all the survey responders and publish the descriptions of this year’s works of art directly from the lead artists themselves.
The Kiwiburn Effigy
The Effigy at Kiwiburn is a multifaceted symbol of community, creativity, and renewal, drawing participants together in a shared, primal experience. It represents the culmination of a year’s worth of collaborative effort, creativity, and personal reflection, a community creation that is ultimately released in a fiery spectacle – that kicks off the greatest party on a Paddock in New Zealand.
For many, the Effigy symbolises a collective effort – both in its construction and in its burning. The physical structure, built by the community, serves as a focal point for the festival. It is a celebration of creativity, resourcefulness, and the ability to come together as a group to manifest something meaningful. The process of building it connects participants, instilling a sense of shared purpose. As the Burn occurs, it marks a release of energy, emotions, and experiences, offering a chance to let go of the past year and embrace a fresh start. Many describe the experience as one of profound release, where the act of burning signifies the liberation from societal norms, expectations, and personal burdens.
The Effigy is a symbol of impermanence – a reminder that beauty and meaning can emerge from the temporary nature of life. It is a sacred space for both individual and collective expression, where participants can experience freedom, vulnerability, and joy. For some, it is a moment to reflect on personal growth, the release of old patterns, or the shedding of past disappointments. Others see it as a symbol of unity, community, and collective energy, where all who gather are bound together in the ritual of destruction and renewal. The Effigy also embodies a defiance of conventional societal structures, such as capitalism and conformity, offering a space for radical self-expression and exploration. The act of burning it is both a personal and communal act of liberation – a “big fuck you” to the systems that often stifle creativity and individuality.
As it burns, the Effigy becomes a physical manifestation of hope, catharsis, and transformation. Many speak of feeling energised, connected, and alive during the Burn, celebrating the primal energy of fire and the shared experience of being fully present in the moment. Whether viewed from a spiritual, artistic, or hedonistic perspective, the Effigy represents the blending of individual identities into a greater whole—a celebration of life, freedom, and the powerful forces of community and self-expression.
For some, the Effigy is a moment of awe and wonder, a chance to witness the beauty of destruction and creation, while for others it is a sacred ritual, a space for release, renewal, and self-expression. Ultimately, the Effigy is a powerful symbol of the ephemeral nature of life, art, and the connections we make, reminding us of the beauty found in both creation and destruction.
The Temple:
Origins of the Burning Man Temple
The first Temple at Burning Man was created by artist David Best in 2000, he constructed the Temple to commemorate the death of a close friend who had tragically passed away in a motorcycle accident while en route to Burning Man. This first Temple was a place for personal reflection and mourning, allowing participants to honor their own losses and to process grief in a community setting. David Best’s creation of the Temple was a powerful extension of the spirit of Burning Man and its principles of community, radical self-expression, and impermanence. The Temple stood as a counterpoint to the wild, celebratory energy of the Effigy Burn, offering a space for quiet reflection, mourning, and the release of grief. Over the years, the Temple has evolved into an iconic and spiritual centerpiece of Burning Man and its regional events, one that provided a sacred space for participants to honour their experiences, connect with others, and find emotional catharsis.
The Kiwiburn Temple
The Kiwiburn Temple is, for most, a deeply sacred and emotional space, offering a collective time for spiritual connection, personal release, and communal healing. It serves as the spiritual focal point of the festival, a sanctuary of introspection amidst the chaos, where individuals come together to reflect on their past, their losses, and their hopes for the future. For many, the Temple represents a sacred time of belonging, a space where the community unites in quiet reflection, mourning, and release.
The Temple provides a physical space to lay to rest unresolved emotions, trauma, or past versions of oneself. It becomes a place for catharsis—a sanctuary where we honor what has been and prepare for what is yet to come. It is burned in silence, a powerful, meditative and respectful burn. This time of collective silence allows for emotional release, where individuals can let go of grief, pain, and burdens, and find solace in the shared energy of the community. As the flames of the Temple rise, so too do the collective hopes for healing, renewal, the closing of chapters and the beginnings of new ones.
To many, the ritual of the Temple Burn symbolises letting go – whether it’s old grievances, unhealed wounds, or past regrets. It becomes a ceremonial act of release, where individuals can choose to leave behind what no longer serves them. The Burn acts as a tangible moment of closure, an opportunity for renewal, and an invitation to embrace new beginnings. For some, it’s a moment to remember lost loved ones, setting intentions, or simply reflecting on the journey so far. The Temple holds space for each individual’s process, offering a shared moment of collective introspection and peaceful release.
In this sacred space, people can meditate on what they need to release, whether personal memories, struggles, or old patterns that no longer align with who they are becoming. The Temple offers a chance for individuals to set intentions, express gratitude, and connect with their innermost selves. It is a place of reverence, a time to pause and reflect on the year past and the one ahead. The Temple becomes both a ritual and a form of community therapy, providing a necessary pause from the distractions of daily life, inviting deep contemplation and self-discovery.
For some, the Temple acts as a reminder that grief and celebration are not opposites, but part of the same cycle of life. It is a sacred space where emotions can be held, shared, and released. It serves as a space for the integration of the event’s experiences, where individuals come together, not just as a group, but as a community that honours the sacredness of their journeys.
The Temple also becomes a powerful symbol of impermanence. As the structure is built to burn, it speaks to the transient nature of life itself – highlighting both the beauty of creation and the inevitability of its dissolution. It’s a place where people can reflect on this transience, letting go of old attachments, and releasing what is no longer necessary.
Above all, the Temple offers a sense of peace, connection, and emotional release. Whether you are grieving, reflecting, or simply needing a moment of stillness, the Temple holds space for all emotions. It is a space to heal, to reflect, and to reconnect with oneself and others in a meaningful, spiritual way. In its simplicity, it is a powerful reminder that sometimes, in the silence, we find our deepest truths. The Temple Burn, in its profound and communal ritual, serves as a moment of collective healing, where we release, reflect, and renew together.
Image Credit: John Williams
Effigy Artist Credit: Tamati
