The Dusty Couch

Where Stories Settle

IMPORTANT:  The information below is about the CONCEPT for a 2026 piece of art for Burning Man.  We are in the process of applying for an Honoria grant and have NOT yet been approved for Honoria funds or to place our art on the playa. 

The Dusty Couch project is the creative brainchild of Stories and Test Pattern.  To reach us email Stories at stories@campbui.org. 

“The Dusty Couch” will start with a base of plywood affixed to the Playa surrounded by a lighting system designed both for aesthetic as well as safety. Atop the base there will be a unique artistic representation of a couch.  The couch will be made from recycled and reused/repurposed materials (boards, padding, fabric) as much as possible. Signage will invite participants to ponder how the couch is reflection of their personal transformation during the week. Each day the installation will be updated with a new set of props that builds on the idea of couch as metaphor for Burning Man participants and hopefully spurs additional thought and discussions.

This visual installation, along with brief signage, will encourage participants to self-explore how their journey through the Burning Man event is reflected by the “The Dusty Couch: Where Stories Settle,” art project. Each day the art installation will be updated with props that further engage participants to reflect on their Burning Man journey.

This idea was conceived in 2025, as we took in various art pieces. We had the idea of a simple (doable) art piece that could be used as touchstone for people to not simply look at the art, but to reflect how the art and evolution of the art during the week either drew parallels or contrasts to the participants Burning Man journey.  We were stuck!  What would the art piece be? Then the 2026, art theme, Axis Mundi,” was announced.  And we thought, what better representation of Axis Mundi in the daily life of so many people than the ever-present couch.  To this idea we added a layer of artistic development be deciding we would update the installation daily to reflect various aspects of life. Our hope is that Burners will come across what could be perceived as a trivial installation only to find there is much more depth than originally meets the eye, and their minds will soar with heretofore unthought concepts and ideas about how Burning Man shapes their lives.