Burning Man unveils shrine-inspired temple design for 2019

Burning Man has revealed its design choice for next year’s temple.

Titled The Temple of Direction, the winning structure was designed by San Francisco-based artist Geordie Van Der Bosch. It will act as a eye-catching centrepiece at the Black Rock City event, which takes place August 25 to September 2 2019.

Chosen for its “elegant simplicity” by the Burning Man committee, the team elaborated on their choice via the official Burning Man journal.

“Every year, we explore a spectrum of design submissions from our community’s artists and builders,” explains Katie Hazard, Program Manager of Burning Man Arts, via the journal. Adding, “And we approach our decision with the goal of creating a special physical space on playa for Black Rock City’s citizens to share their reflections.”

The temple’s design is inspired by red torii gates of the Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto, Japan. Burning Man attendees will be able to walk through the structure, weaving through hallways to make their way into a main hall.

"This linear form reflects the passage of life with its beginning, middle, and end," says Hazard. “Throughout the structure there are areas that reflect this journey: narrow & wide spaces, bright & dark spaces, and tunnels that create intimate physical settings. Meanwhile, a large central hall, an altar, and many shelves for offerings create the setting for our collective experience.”

Burning Man is inviting volunteers to join the building process ahead of next year’s event. The Temple of Direction will be primarily constructed in Oakland, California. Fundraising efforts to help support the building process are also set to begin early next year.

Find out how you can get involved here, and check out more pictures of The Temple of Direction below.

Burning Man 2019 takes place August 25 to September 2.

Want to brush up on your Burning Man lingo ahead of next year's event? Check out our Burning Man dictionary here.

Jasmine Kent-Smith is Mixmag's Weekend Editor. Follow her on Twitter