Repost This ArticleThe Matador crew has been representing at Burning Man for several years straight.
THE FOLLOWING ARE VISUAL DISPATCHES from Matador co-founder Ross Borden, Matador Productions guru Ian MacKenzie, and photographer James Brian Fidelibus. If you have your own stories from this year’s Burn, photo-based or otherwise, we’d love for you to share them in the comments. 
1
Playa
The wide-open playa ready for exploration, with art sculptures throughout the space. Art cars, bikes, and pedestrians all share it with -- surprisingly -- very few collisions.Photo: James Brian Fidelibus
2
Surveying
Michelle Chu stops by the Man to take in the sights at sunset one evening. The festival brought in over 60,000 people this year to create a city in the desert, close to Gerlach, Nevada.Photo: James Brian Fidelibus
3
Man
The Man, sitting atop the largest base structure in recent memory.Intermission
4
In the Man
This year there was a structure inside the Man that you could climb. Ross Borden looks down from 40ft.
5
Universe
One of our favorite pieces this year, Universe, allowed you to spin and swing a hanging boulder and a carousel lined with granite slabs weighing upwards of 80,000lbs.
6
Mirrors
Artist Kirsten Berg created this art piece on the playa to share with fellow attendees.Photo: James Brian Fidelibus
7
Ian
Ian MacKenzie snaps a self-portrait in a mirrored art piece on the playa.
8
Pirates
Burners pose in 'the lifeboat' just in front of the spectacular pirate ship -- an addition to the dock from 2011.
9
Critical Tits
Participants in the Critical Tits bike parade that happens every year. More of a celebration of the female figure, it attracts about 6,000 women who proudly display their mostly painted torsos.Photo: James Brian FidelibusIntermission
10
Kiss
A kiss in the deep playa. Still deeper, you can barely make out distant Burners on bikes and art installations.
11
Thunderdome
Two female "fighters" duke it out with flexible pool noodles in the famous Thunderdome, put on by the Death Guild Camp. Strapped in by bungee cords, they are flung towards each other and the mayhem ensues.Photo: James Brian Fidelibus
12
Lit
A very cool, very colorful piece between the esplanade and the Man.
13
Pulpo Mecanico
"El Pulpo Mecanico," a 26ft-tall metal octopus, roams the vast open space and shoots fire out of its tentacles and head. Made mostly of recycled and used junk, it goes through 200 gallons of propane each night.Photo: James Brian Fidelibus
14
Nonstop
Sunrise on the playa. Behind the photographer, the dance party at the 'Disco Knights' tent rages on.
15
Temple sunrise
Sunrise at the Temple of Juno. It's customary for Burners to gather every morning and cheer the return of the sun.Intermission
16
Temple of Juno
The Temple provides a backdrop for some solo morning yoga.
17
Gathering
Inside the Temple of Juno. Prayers and offerings for the deceased are left throughout the week. When the Temple is burned on Sunday night, the entire playa is silent.
18
EGO
Fittingly, the "EGO" art piece was burned by the end of the week, revealing another art piece inside.
19
The sun sets
A sunset bike ride across the playa.
20
Going up
Part of the pyrotechnics show during the burning of the Man is a massive 'explosion' effect that results in a bellow of thick, black smoke, almost like a mini mushroom cloud.
21
Actually to understand the event better, I recommend to check out the history of the event first. And for that I highly recommend to watch Dust & Illusions (http://dustandillusions.com) and “This is Burning Man” the book! Very much worth it, and of course the documentary is a must with all its archival footage!
We’re your Burning Man contributors issued Press Passes this year?