MAYAK / Art group
The lighthouse on the playa during a sandstorm, people walking past

01 — Project

The Lighthouse of Now Here

The Lighthouse of Now Here rose five metres above the desert, beaconing weary travellers into its harbour.

It was a hollow, skeletal wooden structure with room inside for a few people to sit or stand together, and reflect on where they are right now in their journey.

Inside lay a book, open to anyone who wanted to write down what they were ready to let go of, and leave it there. At an event with no Temple and little space for quiet, the Lighthouse offered a place for contemplation and release, a reminder that burns are so much more than parties in the desert.

At night, the lighthouse came alive. Under UV light, the painted wood glowed, and a revolving beacon swept across the dark, visible from afar even through sandstorms.

Credits

Concept & project lead
Marie
Painting & building
Kirill (@kndrart)
Architecture
Vera
Woodworking
Leonid, Evgenii
Building
Pavel, Dmitry, Arina, Amalia
Moral support
Liza & Cooper

…and many more who helped throughout the build and strike. Thank you.

The Lighthouse

People walking through a sandstorm, the lighthouse in the distance
The lighthouse silhouetted against a golden sunset A person on the playa by day, the lighthouse behind them
People on the playa at sunrise
Sunrise over the desert
The lighthouse glowing purple under UV light at night
The lighthouse glowing blue at night The lighthouse at night with visitors nearby
The beacon at night
Looking up at the glowing lighthouse at night

The Book

Book cover reading "Leave it here" Book cover reading "Now"
The first spread of the book: a welcome note and a visitor's message
"Welcome to the Lighthouse of Now Here" sign

Preparation & Build

From the build