burning man’s 2023 temple unveiled as an upside-down desert flower

introducing the 2023 Burning Man Temple

Burning Man has revealed a series of renderings of their new physical temple for 2023, which takes the form of an upside-down desert flower. Called ‘Temple of the Heart,’ the structure was designed by Polish-born lead artist Ela Madej and California-based co-lead Reed Finlay as both a striking and meaningful space where one can process feelings of ‘reflection, resolution, release, and renewal’. The temple is clad in traditional floral lace patterns from Eastern Europe, producing eye-catching visual effects with the help of both natural and artificial light.

blooming upside-down as an intricate flower

As mentioned earlier, the Temple of the Heart by Ela Madej (find more here) and Reed Finlay is designed like an upside-down desert flower, with a long, prominent spire protruding from the building and reaching skyward – just like an upturned stem. The floral lace patterns used for the ceiling panels and cladding of the structure are a nod to Ela Madej’s Polish heritage. The result is an intricate design that serves as both a beacon and a sundial.

The temple is based on a 12-star base that forms a central gathering space, the Heart Chamber. In the center of this chamber is the Rose Altar, a distinctive decorative element that emits a soft light. It will contain approximately 100 large and medium-sized roses, as well as smaller flowers designed by volunteers and community members of the temple. At night, the temple glows warmly, light, giving those seeking comfort and tranquility the feeling of being ‘near a heart, wrapped in love.’

feminine aesthetic and exquisite floral motifs

The Heart Chamber is surrounded by a walled outer ring, which also contains 12 niches with built-in seating. This space encourages reflection and satisfies the need for movement, while the chamber provides space for stillness. The four entrances are surrounded by an ornamental fence with corresponding gates, creating a courtyard that surrounds the main building. Each gate is crowned by additional wooden roses.

‘The selection committee is thrilled to have a woman as the Lead Artist for this year’s Temple. The feminine aesthetic and exquisite floral motifs found throughout the structure will be beautiful elements, both up close and from across the playa, day and night. Ela and Reed are putting their own hearts and impressive skills into this aptly-named Temple.’ write Burning Man representatives on the project’s official website.

‘Selecting the Temple for Black Rock City is a uniquely challenging decision. We look for a design with a strong visual impact that can serve as a meaningful space to hold the full range of our community’s experiences and offerings.

There are both conceptual and practical considerations. Is the Temple creative and beautiful enough to be an artwork in and of itself, but simple enough that it doesn’t get in the way or dictate an experience? Will it burn well, and safely? Have the applicants planned for LNT, and considered sustainability in their design and execution?’

‘With all this in mind, we are delighted to have selected Temple of the Heart! Design-wise, we appreciate that it will be relatively modest in scale. The space allows for many offerings from the community without pushing to be bigger than ever — a key consideration as we balance tradition and environmental sustainability.’

project info: 

name: Temple of the Heart
artist: Ela Madej, Reed Finlay
event: Burning Man 2023