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Covid concerns have sent Burning Man into the VR realm, though an unofficial festival has appeared in its place, with 10,000 people gathering in the desert for ‘Renegade Burn’
Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 06 Sep 2021
Burning Man has taken place in virtual reality for 2021 Credit: Burning Man
The iconic Burning Man has moved out of the desert and into the virtual space for 2021, with COVID concerns sending the event online for the second time in two years.
A VR experience was hastily put together in 2020, with the event originally set to take place around the time COVID-19 was first starting to emerge in the US. An estimated 500,000 people attended the virtual event - more than five times that of the festival the last time it was held in person.
Called ‘Virtual Burn’, this year’s event has three major themes - ‘decommodification’, free expression and self-reliance, with the event theme titled ‘The Great Unknown’. Even though the event is taking place virtually, a real Burning Man effigy will be lit up in the desert, with the event live-streamed over VR as part of the festivities.
The transition to virtual marks a significant shift for ‘burners’ - the show’s attendees who will normally travel long distances and then into the Nevada desert - for the event. Instead of travelling, they will simply put a VR headset on to experience Burning Man from anywhere around the world.
The event this year is free to attend, though Burning Man is accepting donations. While the event itself will not take place in person, an unofficial event dubbed “Renegade Burn” has had an estimated 10,000 people gather in the Nevada desert. While the non-event has been given approval, the Bureau of Land Management - which controls the Black Rock Desert, where Burning Man typically takes place - has introduced a number of restrictions, including no fires other than a campfire, no use of lasers and no building of structures, including art installations.
Virtual burning man concludes September 7. To experience the event, click here.
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