Role: Designer and fabricator at KWONBAE
Phase: Concept to Fabrication
Client: BaoChickaWowWow

A Glowing Journey through the Playa

Each year, as the Black Rock City rises from the Nevada desert, a playground for art, self-expression, and introspection takes shape. In 2014, fueled by the spirit of innovation and a desire to share our vision, Justin Kan and I embarked on a remarkable endeavor to build an art car for Burning Man. Our goal was to create an immersive, sensorial experience for all who encountered it.

The concept was born from the desire to evoke the ethereal beauty of an iceberg, both during the scorching daylight and under the mesmerizing night sky. To achieve this, meticulous planning and ingenuity came into play. Behind over 300 unique polycarbonate panels, we embedded 10,000 LEDs that gracefully modulated in color and rhythm, illuminating the entire structure like a luminescent behemoth.

As the designer of the project, I poured my creativity into every detail. I meticulously produced drawings, shaping the form and bringing the iceberg concept to life. But this endeavor was not a solitary pursuit. Coordinating a team of dedicated volunteers was essential in realizing our collective vision. Together, we toiled to construct and assemble the art car, infusing it with our passion and creativity.

When the time came to unleash our creation onto the dusty playa, it was a breathtaking sight. Daylight revealed the iceberg's graceful contours, a stark contrast against the arid landscape. But as the sun set and the night enveloped Black Rock City, our art car truly came alive. The mesmerizing play of lights danced in perfect harmony with the rhythm of the playa, captivating the senses of all who encountered it.