Aligning with the 2025 theme, “Tomorrow Today,” Firebird (working title) seeks to help BRC citizens contemplate how they can “make the[ir] world real through actions that open the heart.”

The philosophy of Firebird is to hold space for the cyclic experience, to reveal that under our masked exteriors, our abundant power resides in the intelligent heart being at peace with the impermanence of self and our perceived world. To expand, we must sincerely release what has come before and trust in the unknown of the future.

The action of pulling the lines of the wings downward using physical strength, whether solo or together, gives rise to intention and motivated effort. When they are released, participants’ chests are opened by stretching the arms outward – thus opening the heart chakra cavity through alleviation of the weight. This stimulates vitality from an energetic wisdom.

Firebird roosts in its nest of flames before its transformation journey, validating that we can choose how we want to persevere through our story of evolution.

Firebird’s body and head are shaped like a large, mystical raptor. It has two glowing eyes and a distorted beak. Upon the crown of its head protrudes 3-5 flame-like horns backward. Its body is red, orange, yellow, and gold ombré, and an overlapping, rhombus-shaped protective breastplate resembling feathers lays over its breast like armor. Its talons appear to dig into the playa, as if it were preparing for flight.

Inside the body, a metal anatomical heart pulses in light, which can be seen through the artistic external wrapper.

The wings are multi-colored, with their underwing coverts in pastels of blue, pink, and purple light. The wing’s top bend is an expressed rounded claw.

The tail extends backwards from its lower back in whirling, independent waves. They are externally wrapped and lit up in yellow and gold as if engulfed in flame.

The nest that surrounds Firebird is made up of separated, independent seats that emit moving accents of colored light resembling bursts of flame.

Leave no trace (LNT) is one of our top priorities.

We believe we are guests on the playa, and its sacred spirit should be respected. We will empower the team to feel responsible for upholding our commitment to our LNT plan. We will build the majority of our installation off-playa, and any assembly completed on-playa will be managed effectively by a dedicated crew lead that will keep detailed inventory and track all supplies and materials and oversee their storage.

As a team, together we will look for and remove potential MOOP throughout every build day and we will rake frequently. Throughout the event, the site will be frequently checked for any MOOP that may be released by heavy winds, participant use/misuse, or unpredictable wear and tear. Should we be approved for open burn, any installation materials that did not fully burn will be removed by the team as required.

We are dedicated to leaving our location on playa 100% free of any MOOP, and returning it to its natural state of beauty and sacredness.

When at rest, Firebird stands awaiting engagement, its wings lowered. Participants are encouraged to grasp the external lines attached to Firebird’s shoulders to lift and spread its wings. These lines are connected to an internal system that when activated by an individual or group’s physical effort, moves the wings into a raised position, as if the bird is about to take flight. Should the lines be released abruptly, the wings are slowly lowered back into a resting position safely by the inner mechanisms that are controlling the wing’s movement. At night, using LED light programming, the wings will light up resembling flames when they are raised to the upright position, providing an elevated visual experience.

Citizens of BRC are invited to explore and sit in the nest of flames that surrounds the bird to contemplate their current truths or invent their future realities. They may lay in solo isolation or choose to sit in a larger burst, allowing for spontaneous connection with others.