I arrived in Black Rock City on August 23rd in the early afternoon. The weather was calm at first, but later that day the storms began. Winds over 50 mph ripped across the playa, bending poles, collapsing shade structures, and damaging theme camps around me. Dust storms swept through with moments of zero visibility—short intervals when the sky went black and everything disappeared in a wall of dust. When the rain followed, it soaked supplies and turned the streets to mud, forcing many Burners to pause and rebuild. The gates were closed several times in those first days because of the storms, delaying participants and artists trying to enter the city.

As I walked through the playa, I saw how vital theme camps are to the spirit of Burning Man. They are the heartbeat of the city—bars and lounges, dance floors, yoga classes, art workshops, and countless other offerings. Many camps were damaged, but Burners worked side by side to repair and reopen them, determined to keep the energy of the city alive.

The artists faced their own challenges. Some projects were battered but ultimately restored through teamwork and persistence. Others could not withstand the storms. Black Cloud by the Ukrainian ART Group and Mona Die! Die! Die! by Miao He and Li Quansheng were both destroyed. Yet, in true playa spirit, the artists found meaning in that destruction—embracing impermanence and resilience, and showing that even loss can carry beauty and significance.

Despite the setbacks, the strength of the community shone through. Every day I saw neighbors helping neighbors, artists pushing forward, and the city slowly coming back to life. Out of storms and setbacks came moments of beauty, connection, and creativity that made this year unforgettable.

I’ve put together a collection of photographs to share both the challenges and the triumphs of Burning Man 2025.