Kerry Rohrmeier received her PhD from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2013, and is a lecturer in Geography and Global Studies at San Jose State University.  Formerly a professional land use planner, Rohrmeier conducts fieldwork at Black Rock City. In this talk, Rohrmeier explores the construction of innovative, creative public and private spaces that generate cultural questions about community values, social relationships, and city growth.

Cultural anthropologist Deborah A. Boehm and archaeologist Carolyn L. White from the University Nevada, Reno will discuss their multi-year, cross-disciplinary approach to studying Black Rock City and its inhabitants. Hear stories about the information they collect and analyze to understand the city and community of Burning Man.

Marian Goodell first attended Burning Man in 1995, and in 1997 co-founded Black Rock City, LLC. Marian developed Burning Man’s media policies and built its communications team. Today, as CEO of the nonprofit Burning Man Project, Marian oversees 100 employees and a $40 million operating budget in an effort to extend Burning Man’s culture into the wider world.  Join Marian for an afternoon exploring her favorite Burning Man films, shorts and documentary clips.

Leo Villareal is a pioneer in the use of LEDs and custom computer software and is best known for his light sculptures and architectural, site-specific works. He first attended Burning Man in 1994, which inspired him to begin creating immersive experiences on a larger scale. Join Villareal as he discusses his long association with Burning Man, his San Francisco Bay Lights installation on the San Francisco Bay Bridge, and his recently-awarded commission to illuminate seventeen bridges over the Thames River in London.

Harrod Blank has been making and documenting Art Cars for 35 years.  When he brought his art car “Oh My God!” to Burning Man in 1993 he also began filming on what would become an epic film project about the event 25 years in the making.  Harrod established Art Car Camp in 1994 and over the years transportation at the event has changed immensely. Join Harrod to explore the Art Car legacy on and off the playa, in conversation with Philo Northrup, who co-founded ArtCar Fest with Harrod in 1997.

John Law is an American artist, prankster, and an original member of the Cacophony Society and Suicide Club. Along with Michael Mikel and Larry Harvey, Law co-founded The Burning Man Festival in the early 1990s. Law has not attended Burning Man since 1996. Join the San Francisco native for a lively exploration of Bay Area cultural movements that led to the infamous Cacophony Society Zone Trip #4 to Nevada’s Black Rock Desert on Labor Day weekend 1990.

Jewelry epitomizes the spirit of Burning Man’s gift economy and honors the creative spirit of those who make it.  Join Christine “Ladybee” Kristen for a conversation about her personal collection of jewelry, the makers featured in her collection, and her recent book The Jewelry of Burning Man.

Members and Conference guests are invited to gather for the Members’ Premiere of the 2017 Art + Environment Season. Curators and artists are available for informal conversation as well as special roving and interactive surprises featuring the creative citizenry of Black Rock City. Live music by The Special 2.

Members are invited to participate in the live silkscreen artistry of Remixed Ink. Bring a t-shirt, jacket or vest and personalize it with a co-created piece of art. Stencils will include imagery of well-known works of art at Burning Man. From 6 to 7 pm,  artist Bruno Fazzolari will “scent” copies of the Museum’s newest book Unsettled with a bespoke, commissioned perfume of the same name. 

JOIN TODAY and plan to attend the Members Premiere then enjoy benefits such as FREE unlimited admission, dedicated members-only events and additional savings on shopping, dining, and tours throughout the year.

Hosted by NV Energy

In 2011, photographer Tanja Alexia Hollander set out to differentiate the real from the virtual by photographing all 626 of her Facebook friends and exploring the meaning of friendship in the era of social media. Over the course of 5 years, she traveled around the country and around the world, meeting with and photographing her friends in their homes, discovering the ways in which friendship is defined. Along with the formal portraits she produced during her travels across the globe, Hollander shot more than 100,000 digital images and video files on a series of iPhones and “point and shoot” cameras, documenting her travels and experiences.

Las Vegas filmmaker and 2016 Nevada Woman Filmmaker of the Year, Robin Greenspun convinced Hollander to allow her to direct and produce a film documenting the project and her experiences during her travels. Hollander trusted Greenspun with her hard drives containing those 100,000 images and made the movie which is now part of Hollander’s exhibition, Are You Really My Friend? on display at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA).

Join Greenspun and Hollander for a screening of the film Are You Really My Friend? followed by a panel discussion exploring friendship, photography and social media.

For more information, visit: http://areyoureallymyfriend.com/