after two canceled years, struggling burning man launches art auction with sotheby's

boundless space, short on funds

as burning man struggles to stay afloat, organizers hosts an auction in partnership with sotheby’s. the nonprofit hopes that the move will help it move toward financial stability, at least until 2022 festival tickets go on sale in january. the auction, dubbed boundless space… the possibilities of burning man, will include works of physical art, NFTs, experiences, and even a concept art car. it makes sense that the festival should be strapped for cash, as the coronavirus pandemic forced it to cancel two years in a row.

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the sotheby’s auction features over 100 eclectic works by artists both in and outside the burning man community. the art objects and experiences will be available for bidding through october 8th, with bids so far reaching into the tens of thousands of dollars. the group notes that the auction will be held in alignment with burning man’s commitment to radical inclusion, diversity, and equity — the organization is fostering new relationships by inviting work by black, indigenous, and persons of color (BIPOC) artists.

rocket car by david best | bid here

the future of black rock city

the auction marks the first of its kind for the non-profit, which hopes to raise enough money to survive following the canceled festivals of 2020 and 2021. the event is typically held the week ahead of labor day, drawing roughly 70,000 festival goers with ticket prices ranging from $400 to $1,400 USD.

while burning man generated nearly $43 million in 2019, the 2020 cancellation lost the organization 90% of its annual revenue. according to billboard: during the pandemic, the organization raised $12 million in donations and major gifts, received a $27 million federal PPP loan, spent $10 million of their operating reserve, recouped $3 million through donated 2020 tickets (would-be attendees donated the money they spent on their tickets in lieu of a refund) and cut its budget by $24 million without laying off any of the burning man staff.

fvckrender (animated NFT) | bid here

grotest maru, learn to walk on stilts | bid here