bodies at burning man

Authors

  • John Sherry University of Notre Dame

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54337/ojs.jos.v11i1.9993

Abstract

I explore the nature of bodies and bodily encounters at the Burning Man Project in the context of art circulation and reception, from the perspective of an anthropologist who is also a poet.  My poem probes the interplay of hexis and habit that informs this temporary artworld, focusing both on installed and enacted bodies.  Finally, I incorporate complementary retouched field photos to create an enhanced, evocative account of my experience of the sensuous artgift.

References

Kozinets, R. V. (2002). Can consumers escape the market? Emancipatory illuminations from Burning Man. Journal of Consumer Research, 29(1), 20–38. https://doi.org/10.1086/339919

Kozinets, R. V. (2002). Desert Pilgrim. Consumption Markets & Culture, 5(2), 171–186. https://doi.org/10.1080/10263860290015602

Sherry, J. F., Jr. (2024), “mountains ring black rock city;” “black rock desert,” in Burn Before Reading, Summer 2024, “Reflections,” 22; 24 Summer 2024: Reflection — Burn Before Reading

Sherry, J. F., Jr. (2022). Nodding by the fire: appreciation of the Derry Temple. Journal of Marketing Management, 38(15–16), 1633–1650. https://doi.org/10.1080/0267257X.2020.1851746

Sherry, J. F., Jr. (2021), “what the temple is like; edgemen,” in Burn Before Reading, Summer 2021, “Lasting Transformation,” 3; 34. Summer 2021: Lasting Transformation — Burn Before Reading

Sherry, J.F. and Kozinets, R.V. (2007), “Comedy of the commons: nomadic spirituality and the Burning Man Festival”, Belk, R.W. and Sherry, J.F. (Ed.) Consumer Culture Theory (Research in Consumer Behavior, Vol. 11), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 119-147. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0885-2111(06)11006-6

Sherry, J. & Kozinets, R. (2022). Being at Burning Man: fabulations and provocations. In A. Joy (Ed.), The Future of Luxury Brands: Artification and Sustainability (pp. 73-94). Berlin, Boston: De Gruyter. https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110732757-004

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Published

12-10-2025