Burning Man 2008: Art in the desert

A view of Burning Man as the sun sets at Black Rock Desert. The theme for the 2008 festivities is “The American Dream.” The event, which culminates with the burning of large installation art, attracts more than 30,000 people annually.  (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)

Kids play in a “Kidsville” camp at Burning Man.  (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)

Dancers cheer as the sun sets at Deep End Dance Camp, near Gerlach, Nev., on Wednesday.  (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)

Larra Millichap appears on the playa wearing a rabbit mask under a parasol at Burning Man on Thursday.  (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)

View of Burning Man on Thursday. The large sculpture will be burned as part of the annual event in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert.  (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)

Cyclists make shadows on the desert floor at Burning Man as the sun sets on Thursday.  (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)

Lamp lighters march in a procession to the main plaza at the weeklong Burning Man event, an annual celebration in the desert near Black Rock City, Nev., which culminates with the burning of large installation art.  (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)

David Silverman of Los Angeles plays a special Burning Man tuba of his own invention on the main plaza as evening falls Thursday.  (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)

Simone Oliver of San Diego and Eric Weisz of San Francisco take a picture in front of the Black Rock City sign. Burning Man 2008 kicked into full gear as participants from around the world began to arrive in Nevada for the annual art event, which culminates with the burning of a large art installation over the weekend.  (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)

The Yatta dancers perform at the Deep End Dance Camp. The Burning Man event, near Gerlach, Nev., has grown from a few thousand people to more than 30,000 attendees annually.  (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)

“Battle Duck,” an art car created by Bart Dorsa, center, in honor of the 69th birthday of his father, Frank, left, rolls across the desert floor.  (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)

Sebastian, 18 months, wanders after his mother’s wedding on the playa. Mercedes Martinez and Chris Weitz held a wedding ceremony with friends gathered at Burning Man 2008.  (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)

People get inside an interactive art piece made of a large inflatable rolling ball created by “Dr. Dave” at Burning Man 2008.  (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)

An art installation created by Burning Lotus Girls from San Francisco attracts a crowd early Thursday morning.  (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)

Julia Mueller and Scott Twyster practice couples yoga at Burning Man.  (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)

The Yatta dancers perform at Deep End Dance Camp.  (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)

An art car slowly moves into the fray at Burning Man in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert.  (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)