Customer Reviews

Drama in the Desert: The Sights and Sounds of Burning Man

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From my initial handling of this work, it was obvious that this was no ordinary photo book. The first aspect of it that grabs the eye is the quality of the printing and construction. Next, the attention is drawn into the book, transporting you to this place, this city, which exists for only 7 days once a year. And the subject(s) of the images look surreal, hyper-real, and dream-like, pulling you into the pages, so that even if just for a moment, your imagination (or memory, if you have been there) allows you to BE there. Next, when you have settled enough, after paging through to see these captured moments of manifested thoughts, the text goes deeper, touching the heart.
If you have heard about Burning Man, have read about it, seen a few photo's and have wondered what it is like, and have not yet attended, this book will bring you closer than any other. If you HAVE been there, this book may bring both tears to your eyes (from rememberances that affect you so deeply) and laughter to your lips. Also, for those who have attended, and wanted to have something, anything, to try and help communicate what it is like, this is it.

In one word, as it regards photo books in general, and the photo books about Burning Man, Drama in the Desert is without peer.

My husband and I starting our Burning Man experience in 1997 and have gone every year since. We've had 4 different theme camps alone or in collaboration with friends. We will have to miss the 2005 burn, as we will be relocating, so we bought books and DVD's to remember the fun times until we can come home again. Holly's book is wonderful and the DVD is sooo much better than anything else out there. It really just blew me away! We popped it into the DVD player one morning and were mesmerized and drawn in by the music, the images, the clouds and the incredible artistry of the whole production-it brings back the feeling of being there. I appreciate that she separated the interviews from the flow of images in the main movie.

A must have for anyone interested in Burning Man!

I bought your book for my son's 22nd birthday. He loved the book so much that I bought myself a copy. Last weekend I watched the DVD and was amazed at how beautiful the photography and music is. I went to Burning Man for the past two years and the experience has completely changed my life. I get inspired by the creativity of all the beautiful people that work so hard to make it the greatest art show in the world. I decided to share my experiences with my relatives this Christmas by sending them all Drama in the Desert as presents, so I ordered another six copies. Thank you for everything. You are an amazing group of artists.

Reading this book really really brought me back to the playa. The images are amazing! And the stories, and the poetry, are quite absorbing--they really reminded me of what is was like to be at Burning Man. And don't even get me started on the dvd!

What struck me most was that this book really focuses on the art and experience of the festival, in a way that would make it a very good book to share with somebody who's never been there. Heck, I could even share this book with my parents (and I never imagined I would be able to share so much about Burning Man with them until now).

Highly Recommended: "A fabulous collection of images; revealing of a very special kind of 'artistic expression' at the turn of every page..."

If you want to see what freedom of expression really really truly looks like - take a stroll through the pages of this book! There are so many vibrant and illustrative photos covering almost all aspects of Burning Man, as it has existed over the last four yrs - by way of Holly Kreuter's images as they appeared to her through her camera lens & creative mind. You can't buy this on the Playa! (Burners know what I'm talking about!) It also pays attention to 'Non-Burners' by providing thoughtful text - Who thought words describing the magic of Burning Man could get you lost in thought, running around in circles bursting at the seams with ideas of expression, wanderlust and desire to 'create' in the world Dave Eggers describes. Many images are so powerful they act as a trajectory -flying past the flat 2-D surface, through the looking glass & camera lens, to a space where human expression and art collide and existentially and peacefully co-exist side by side.

This book is a one of a kind 'Encomium du Burning Man' - Art, mirroring art; depiction of 'community and artistic expression' - without both, we would merely exist in this world - lost....

Hey! For a total deal/steal - it comes with a DVD too! I would not consider myself a true collector of art without owning this book. Make this book your first... as there *could* be others that may follow - but this book triumphs as the FIRST in a league of its own. Simply put. There are LOT of pictures from 2001 - and that, fellow burners, as they say, was *my first*!

If you own a copy of "Drama in the Desert"-
- you'll never ever forget *your first*!

Art: It's what makes the world go 'round!

Based on the images of Holly Kreuter, Drama In The Desert: The Sights And Sounds Of Burning Man is a book and DVD set collecting full-color visuals and personal memories drawn from the harsh desert of Black Rock City, Nevada. Capturing the sometimes quizzical, sometimes cruel, sometimes dramatic art and documentary efforts of seventy contributors, Drama In The Desert is strongly recommended as an eclectic, unique, and vibrant experience impressing its fiery artistic message upon the reader's spirit.

Kreuter's photography really captures the diversity, creativity and 'out of the box' off the wall craziness of Burning Man. The CD is first class too.

This is a beautiful book about the extraordinary "Burning Man" festival. The book itself is a work of art. The photography is extraordinary.
The layout is superior. And it includes a DVD that gives a live view of the action at the site.

This is a very Avant-Garde event and sexual symbolism as well as occasional nudity are featured. Those not into the California art movement may be
offended. Actually it is a throwback to the flower people of the 60's. But Art is Art. Salvador Dali would have loved this event.

John Culleton

Good DVD about what takes place in Burning Man. If you have never been there (which I have not) but plane to go. This DVD lets you know what you are in for.

This book will take you back to Burning Man but it's the DVD that I want to rave about. Watch it over and over. Beautifully done. A wonderful effort. Thanks to Holly and thanks to Bam Bam!