Friday

Burning Man Art Installation Stargazer Memorial Temple Lake Tahoe Burners

Burning Man Art Installation

Stargazer Memorial Temple

General Contractor and Burning Man attendee Nick Herman developed the Stargazer Memorial Temple this year after suffering the loss of the love of his life, Lily Galli, who drowned off the coast of Panama. Coincidentally, Nick was on his way to the same island in Panama to help a woman try to create a yoga healing and wellness retreat. While he was there, he was able to process his loss.

On the island, he met an American architect, Mike Hann, who had recently moved to the area. Nick shared his sketches, concept, vision and inspiration of the Stargazer memorial temple with Hann who offered to help him make his vision a reality. Working with Nick, Hann used his expertise to create blueprints for the temple, giving shape to Nick’s ideas.

Once back in Tahoe, Nick was able to begin construction. Nick utilizes his artistic carpentry skills to create the temple’s custom craftsmanship. Herman spoke of rainbow shaped glue-laminated beams, pentagonal columns, and Japanese lanterns. The temple will have star and pentagonal shapes, with a pinnacle reaching to the sky. The temple is made from local Sierra Nevada forest materials, most being wood gathered off job sites or logs cut for either hazard reasons or fuel reduction. Herman is assisted by Tahoe locals Chris Kilian and Dana Olson, both were best friends and roommates with Lily in Lake Tahoe for years. This tight group of friends is pouring their soul into the temple project. It will be amazing to watch this art installation be constructed, appreciated, and burned on Friday night at Burning Man, the night before the man burns. We tip our hats to Nick Herman and Mike Hann.

By Steve White