Burning Embrace

Posted by Andrew Jones on September 03, 2024

Watching Embrace burn Friday morning at Burning Man 2014 was one of the most powerful experiences I've had on the playa. This image is my best attempt to capture that moment, as thousands of people witnessed the hard work and dreams of so many ignite in a blaze of glory.
It was a moment in time I never want to forget and now I can relive the experience each time I view this image. I have deep respect for Matthew Shultz, the creator of Embrace, and the amazing Pier Group for their years of hard work, creativity, and the unreasonable determination and committed vision it took to make this a reality.

Thank you for inspiring all of us.

TIMELAPSE: THE MAKING OF BURNING EMBRACE

Sunrise on the morning of the Embrace burn as seen from my art car- The Twilight Mirage.

Embrace, Burning Man 2014

By Matthew Schultz and The Pier Group

EMBRACED: THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE

Burning Embrace also graces the cover of The Human Experience album "Embraced."

"As I was in the final 5% of finishing my new album, Burning Man happened. As usual, it was one of the most transformative weeks of my life. I had compiled 13 songs for this new album and was searching for the name/cover. Andrew and I were in exodus on Tuesday afternoon and we were discussing album art potentials. I was looking at some of his new work and was searching for a piece of art for the name "Surrender", but that name still wasn't fully resonating.Then he showed me this. And it is perfect. Seeing this burn was a peak moment in my life. When I saw Andrew's image I had this vision, "I hope this music makes people feel embraced."
-David Block, The Human Experience

LISTEN TO THE ALBUM HERE