Cats on the playa: photos of my favorite kitty-themed artworks and sightings at burning man

Hello, my name is Glori and I am a burner. I am one of those 68,000 souls who every year make the rounds to a place called Black Rock City, home of the Burning Man festival. The desert landscape, the dust, the people, mind-blowing works of car engineering and of course the amazing art pieces — I love it all. It is a week-long revival for the mind. But there is only one thing missing: cats.

contenuto

1. felix the greeter
2. the fridge-o-matic
3. a cheshire cat balloon
4. camp cats! cats! cats!
5. cats camp flag
6. catmandu
7. cat nap
8. welcome home!

Because of the Nevada desert’s harsh conditions, pets are not allowed at Burning Man. A very wise decision, but that means that every year I have to survive a whole week without kitties. NOT an easy mission. A cat-obsessed being needs her feline fix! Well, like they say at the Man, “the playa provides.”

Here are eight great examples how cats staked their claim at Burning Man.

1. Felix the Greeter

It started as we were waiting in line to get into the city and we were greeted by none other than Felix the Cat! Okay, so it was more like a guy wearing an enormous Felix mask, a la Deadmau5, but still made me all happy and giddy. A cat on the playa.

2. The Fridge-o-matic

Today’s flavor: Turkey Flavored Salmon!

3. A Cheshire cat balloon

“I can pounce on him. I can pounce on her. I can pounce on them … this place rocks!”

As we rode our bikes around the city we kept bumping into cat-inspired everything. From cat-themed camps to human-size cat trees, the message was clear. Cats not only own the web, they took a piece of Black Rock City. Purrs to that!

4. Camp Cats! Cats! Cats!

Camp Cats! Cats! Cats! Don’t believe the sign, it’s not just for cats.

5. Cats Camp flag

No camp is complete without an appropriate flag and some literature.

6. Catmandu

The Catmandu Research Institute built an awesome human-size cat tree.

7. Cat Nap

Just like a cat, this burner found a favorite napping spot.

The week went by in a flash, and it is with sadness that we leave this place. But the feeling soon fades away once we return home to our real, purring, loving cat. Nothing compares to that!