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Anam Cara is an ancient Celtic phrase referring to the concept of the “soul friend” in spirituality. The shared belief in this concept has inspired the creation of Temple Anam Cara. To celebrate the shared connections of our Soul Friends that have guided and inspired deeper connections to the universe’s beauty, our creation intertwines a Celtic Tree of Life upon an Aztec Step Pyramid, an homage to the ancestral heritages of our co-creators. We are influenced by the many ancient cultures in our collective ancestries to celebrate Mother Gaia’s beauty.
TEMPLE ANAM CARA
BURNING MAN 2023
ABOUT THE ART
Temple Anam Cara is a 30ft tall Aztec step pyramid adorned with a Celtic Tree of Life. An interior inner sanctum that will welcome all to a variety of interconnected experiences such as sound alchemy, yoga, storytelling and mindfulness. An ascending staircase leads to a Tree of Life sculpture that will emerge out above the entire pyramid, with its trunk traveling through to the inner sanctum below, and crafted roots suspended from the ceiling. The Ceremony Room and the exterior will be adorned by high vibrational conscious murals that honor Indigenous wisdom from around the World. We hope to create an immersive and tranquil experience for all who come to receive the frequencies of light and life emanating from this piece.
This manifestation is a collaborated effort inspired by the deep friendship of our co-creators, ancestral heritages and healing through plant medicine. As a small group of Anam Caras with different ethnic backgrounds, we hope to highlight the alignment and potency of Gaia’s ancestral and tribal wisdoms.
We are building an immersive/interactive structure to share ceremonial experiences that celebrate our similarities through the love for Mother Gaia. This collective creation of elemental materials of wood, metal and glass will be adorned by references to ancient plant medicines and a collective indigenous ancestors.
The core of this temple is illuminating a beautiful common thread as a root system that binds our humanity, and supports all cultures and the more-than-human-world to one another. We bring elements of our cultural past to share an expression of love, in the hope of rising together with other spirit traditions to collectively usher in a more harmonious future.
Temple Anam Cara stands as a testament to the enduring essence of these ancient wisdom traditions. Here, we celebrate the universal themes that transcend cultural boundaries, inviting all seekers to explore and embrace the profound interconnectedness of the human experience. We are all one family, all from one source, let’s reconnect with each other, with nature, with the cosmos. We hope this haven in the playa will foster connection, showcase spiritual wisdom and evoke a sense of spirit that is within us all.
BUILD DETAILS
*image is a render, subject to adjustment
Created in Obsydian Studios in partnership with Celtic Light.
With local wood and metal fabricators from around California e.g. Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chico
A team of 21 artists in the creation space of Installation, Architecture, Set and Production Design, Sound, Spirituality and Wellness, Art Education, Mental Health, Performing Arts.
An Aztec step pyramid, holding a Celtic Tree Of Life - 54ft (w) x 54ft (d) x 32ft (h)
Mural painted Wood panels for the walls, Metal infrastructure for the Pyramid, Stainless Steel Tree of Life with Glass + Rose Quartz pieces within.
The interior boasts over 7,000 RGBW (red, green, blue, and white) LEDs, the exterior is clad in over 30,000 high lumen output, warm white LEDs.
An array of activations, sound ceremonies, yoga, dance, mindfulness and storytelling within the walls of the pyramid. We welcome all.
MEET OUR TEAM
A Celtic Light fund and Obsydian Studios Production
Executive Producer, Founder Celtic Light fund, Idea Genie
Eoghan is the founder of Celtic Light fund and a co-creator of the Temple Anam Cara Art offering at Burning Man ‘23.
As an explorer, Eoghan finds alignment in adventure activities such as skydiving/BASE jumping, skiing, scuba and trail running. In recent years, after navigating through a space of trauma, he embarked on a deep healing and spiritual path that lifted him from unrealized wounds to living a life of purpose, adventure and wonder. He is an avid reader, traveler, learner and truth seeker.
In his professional life, Eoghan advises technology company CEOs, boards and privately equity funds on mergers and acquisitions.
The Celtic Light fund is inspired by the ancient wisdom of Celtic spirituality and beliefs. The purpose of CLF is to support people and non-profits who are focused on earth guardianship, conservation, trauma healing, overcoming fear/anxiety, and education around mental health. .
The fund is currently supporting passion projects in the US, Brazil, Kenya, Mexico, and Uganda.
Lead Artist, Founder Obsydian Studios
OBSYDIAN STUDIOS was founded by Ivan Lee Mora. As a Glass and Installation Artist, Ivan has conceptualized, designed and fabricated for a wide range of contemporary venues, public and private spaces and hospitality brands globally. His art is seen across New York City, San Francisco, Denmark, Singapore, Murano, Italy and Zhuhai, China. He is beyond honored to create magic with Celtic Light fund as the Lead Artist of Temple Anam Cara.
Artist’s Statement “I Consider The Environment And Social Politics When Imagining My Installations. Using Ancient Techniques To Capture Impressions Of The World Within Molten Glass. These Forms Are Then Arranged Into Immersive Experiences Meant To Provoke Thought And Positive Action. The Proclivity Towards Creating Art With Glass Began After Traveling To Mexico With My Aztec Grandfather. Learning About My Ancestry Embedded A Deep Respect For Ancient Mysticism And Its Relationship To The Earth’s Elements. By Combining the Science of Glass - and other Elemental Materials - with Esoteric Iconography of Aztec History, I Make Pieces that Provide a Window into the Spiritual and Cultural Intertwining of both my Aztec Indigenous and European Lineage. The Process Is A Meditation For Me And I Work To Create Concepts That Reflect That Reality”
Muralist Team, Art Builder
Sydney is a Muralist, Immersive Art Installation Artist, Graphic Designer, Owner at Duarte Designs, Community Activist, Yoga Teacher, Adventure Enthusiast, Motivational Speaker, Retreat Leader,and creator of all things magic. She is an interdisciplinary artist who creates to elicit multi-sensory experiences through her work. Engaging the audience in play through her large-scale murals and interactive art installations. She enjoys enhancing each new environment by adding 3D and illusionary elements to transform the most unlikely of spaces. Her work with art and yoga go hand in hand by bringing community together to spark inspiration + ignite healing within everyone that she comes in contact with. She guides others to step out of their comfort zones to embrace new experiences and live a life they love and settle for nothing less than extraordinary. Her inspiration and intention with each artwork she creates is to spark a sense of wonder, awe, and discovery through the engagement of color and creation. Evoking a sense of excitement and celebration while welcoming and embracing each visitor.
Sydney, along with @treazytreaz and @crikee_crikes will be painting every inch of the temple walls, inside and outside. We look forward to being with you all on the playa and hearing how the artwork resonates with you.
Muralist Team, Art Builder
@treazytreaz is an artist from Brisbane, Australia. Treazy’s roots are connected deep in the underground, and like all trees, he is constantly growing towards the light into a greater expression of creativity. With 25+ years, painting has played a pinnacle role in his life, teaching him priceless gems about the values of freedom, friendships, and keeping an out-of-the-box state of mind. This has allowed him to travel the world extensively, leaving a colorful legacy from the deep catacombs of the Paris subway to the dense bio-diversity of the Amazon Jungle. In this time of great change, Treazy is on a mission! He’s here to stand for freedom and spread a message of peace, love and light. With artwork designed to inspire and uplift the spirit, he’s channeling energy towards humanity’s awakening and a positive brighter, more colorful future!
He uses his self expression in compassionate ways to help drive positive evolution within ourselves, the community and the World. His main focus in life is empowering others to fully express themselves in their own unique way. Each person is a beautiful piece of the grand puzzle. His art is his work, hobby and passion and everything he creates is to contribute to a vision of a brighter future. Through this work, he connects with a lot of souls that need guidance, healing, and love to re-ignite their light. Every artwork he creates is to assist in lifting the collective consciousness and contribute to the great awakening while encouraging others to be yourself to free yourself.
Muralist Team, Art Builder
Adrian Blanch, also known as @crikee_crikes is an artist born in Brisbane to an Australian father from Biloela and a Samoan mother from a village called Le Ulu Moegna. Growing up with a culturally diverse background helped him to broaden his perspectives on cultures around the World, especially relating to traditions, spiritual connections to land, community and art. Adrian's art style is unique in his approach to build depth through different styles of cross hatching, especially with his intricate line work. He specializes in typography, naturalism, native patterns and realism. His light codes anchor various frequencies and vibration to enhance and amplify
Being a professional painter by trade has helped him to cultivate his knowledge on colours, different surfaces and intertwining artistic flare to create pleasing artworks in various spaces. He combines numerous tools with the use of aerosols, brushes, spray guns, stencils and thinking outside the box to use different mediums and methods to create desired effects. With a strong connection to land and spirit, Adrian enjoys creating art from the heart, and pours that with intention and meaning into his artworks to invoke emotion to whoever views his art. Mixing that with a strong use of bright colours mixed with subtle pastel colour palettes to liven up your day, cause excitement and affect the way we feel, how we think, and how we interact with one another in a positive way.
Muralist Team
Ryan “Yanoe” Sarfati, is a Belgian American contemporary artist best known for his large-scale murals and evocatively versitic aesthetic. Born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Yanoe forged his urban art identity as a graffiti writer, crafting wild-style, interlocking lettering radiating with energy. Yanoe relocated to Los Angeles during the early 1990s and has since become a formidable, prolific force in the mural and installation scene. With site-specific murals in cities ranging from Tulsa, Oklahoma to Brisbane, Australia to Los Angeles, California, Yanoe creates work that is an important integer of placemaking. Developed over his multi-decade career, Yanoe has a keen understanding of mass and space and is elegantly versed at translating multidimensional modalities, like Brutalist architecture, into dynamic, unidimensional walls. Yanoe has successfully managed and executed several large scale public art installations. Working closely with engineers and architects to create award-winning immersive experiences across the world. Currently holding a world record for largest augmented reality mural in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Yanoe has pivoted the intentionality of his practice to fine art, exploring studio painting and commercial partnerships with companies such as: Nike, Urban Decay, Headspace, Google, Apple, Facebook, and Netflix.
Sonic Priestess, Build Crew
Our Sonic Priestess, Scarlett de la Torre, is a Musician, Sound Meditation Facilitator, DJ, Vocal Alchemist, International Multimedia Artist, and Humanitarian Philanthropic Activist. Scarlett’s alchemical journey has led her to utilize her evolutionary and intuitive gifts to empower thousands to step into their sovereignty through the divine inner workings of music, sound, meditation, and self-love.
Partnered with Beauty For Freedom, Scarlett has been an ambassador and activist for this anti-human trafficking organization for 10 years. Their mission is to donate instruments and volunteer to teach educational music and creative workshops in order to empower survivors of human trafficking to transmute their experiences through sound. It was during her work with survivors in New Light Kolkata that she discovered the healing power of sound.
Scarlett founded the AHA Sound Sanctuary, an international music education initiative, to teach thousands to heal and transform through learning how to embrace music in an intuitive way. She weaves the light of Sophia Conscisouness into her sound journeys and performance art musical activations.
Digital Media, Art & Build Crew, Obsydian Studios Mama
Elizabeth is an Actor, Producer, Presenter and Storyteller in Ecology and Mindfulness. She has worked in the performing arts and Film & TV industry globally. With her mixed East/West heritage, Liz was born in SouthEast Asia, lived in Australia and New York before settling in California. Her work often explores and re-imagines the ideas around 'home' and belonging, of our relationship to the roots of self, story and connection.
Her last project on A+E Networks was a documentary-series exploring SouthEast Asian cuisine across America through the lens of immigration, travel and friendship. With her training at UCLA's Mindful Awareness Research Centre and Schumacher College’s Engaged Ecology MA module, she weaves her Mindfulness Practice, Eco Advocacy and Creative Storytelling to create nature-centered workshops and concepts for film, brands and social impact organizations - and most recently for the inaugural Green Summit at The United Nations. She is also the Ambassador for The Singapore Eco Film Festival. Her personal philosophy of 'Eco-Mindfulness' is her 360 holistic and creative approach (performance, arts, writing) in regenerating our inner and outer ecosystem, towards tackling the climate crisis and deepening our ever changing relationship to the natural world.
Camp / RV Logistics Lead, Communications
Meet Xu, a passionate Burner who returns to the dust-covered playa with unyielding enthusiasm and an unwavering commitment to self-expression. Infused with boundless creativity and a thirst for adventure, Xu embodies the essence of Burning Man. From the captivating art installations to the pulsating beats that ignite the soul, Xu embraces the communal spirit, forging meaningful connections and co-creating a temporary utopia.
With a focus on gifting, participation, and environmental consciousness, Xu brings unique talents and offerings, spreading love through art, workshops, and acts of kindness. Inspired by the transformative power of Gestalt practice, Xu explores the depths of personal growth and interpersonal connections. As the flames dance high and the desert calls, Xu embarks on an extraordinary journey of self-discovery, thriving alongside fellow Burners, forever transforming their perspective on what it means to live authentically.
Project Management, Build Communications Lead, Art & Design
Carson Giles is an artist and designer based out of Los Angeles. He enjoys experimentation in a variety of mediums and takes on difficult projects with gusto. He has been working in the Commercial, Film / TV industry for 7 years as a Production Designer.
His projects have ranged from supplementary materials for major motion pictures - to working with a range of musical artists from all genres to create electrifying sets. Having worked on a large range of commercials, he enjoys creating conceptual art from sketch to execution.
As a designer, he is extremely versed in 3D-modeling and rendering. He finds joy and purpose creating a strong camaraderie while he is managing large projects for all sets.
Designer / Fabricator, Art & Build
Raised in Austin, TX and LA by a Disney imagineer and an intensive care nurse. He and his family call La Cañada, CA, home.
Nick has a passion for meaningful hardware innovation, welding and building synergy in operations and teams.
On weekdays, he manages the Advanced Prototyping Center for LACI, a non-profit incubator. He has created a huge variety of projects for both public and private organizations from public safety to clean tech start ups. He finds purpose working on meaningful projects that re-imagine solutions for the human experience with environmental stewardship - and creating impactful, peaceful communities like Temple Anam Cara!
Nick loves learning and teaching hands-on skills in manufacturing and engineering, to create job opportunities in the inclusive green economy for underserved communities.
Obsydian Studios Collective, Designer / Fabricator, Art & Build
Christine was born in houston Texas but now calls LA home. She has been working in sculpture for over 10 years having art directed and fabricated for commercials, feature films, museums and much more.
She is excited and happy to be helping design and fabricate for Anam Cara.
In her spare time she runs her pottery company Future Ruins and enjoys going to the beach with her friends.
Obsydian Studios Collective, Designer / Fabricator, Art & Build
Cody Berman is an artist living in Los Angeles. He collaborates closely with Obsydian Studios, and has been an integral part in creating projects with Ivan Mora.
As a multi disciplinary artist, trained as an architectural designer - he has a large array of talents and interests which is focused largely in glass work. His other talents are not limited to, but include, metal working, carpentry, painting and 3-D modeling.
Cody can shred when it comes to his skating.
Art & Design Team
Antonio G-R is an engineer, fabricator, maker and circus performer. Raised in the town of Tepoztlan, Morelos in Mexico and now based in Los Angeles, California. He's been part of large installation projects like The Coachella Catterpillar, Butterfly and Astronaut, with Poetic Kinetics, the Dream Emporium's "Brain wash carwash" with Cirque Berzerk, as well as other works of robotic art, festival installations, large builds, miniatures, costumes and props.
Project Management, Art Build Team, Metal Artist
Heather Stewart is a mixed media artist and entrepreneur based in LA. She graduated from Alfred University with a BFA and a minor in Equine Science.
She has traveled the world to create interactive art installations, produce installations for other artists, paint murals, and build custom pieces that range from furniture to film sets to large sculptures. In 2013, she co-founded Boxouse, a company that converted shipping containers into tiny off-grid houses, in response to both the environmental and housing crises. Burning man awarded her an honoraria in 2016 for Automata Equis, a herd of life size metal horses which galloped in slow motion.
In 2018, she founded a community art collective and workshop where her current fabrication company, Fatty & Co was started. Her most recent sculpture was part of artist Adrian Landon’s “ Wild Horses of the American West” project, a 2022 Burning Man project featuring 16 artists from around the world.
Fabricator, Art & Build, Metal Artist
Stefano Novelli and his crew love a good challenge and big ideas. Taking on outrageous projects with tight deadlines not only keeps their work exciting, but it also demands creative problem-solving and allows us to step outside of the box and experiment. Through this creative process, ambitious concepts are given the opportunity to set new standards and create amazing end results for very satisfied clients. This fearless approach is held in place by strict attention to detail, extensive quality control and a very high regard for safety. The top priority is the safety of our crew, our clients and anyone else who comes in contact with our fabrications.
Although he specializes in custom props and stages, his wide variety of skills and experience can be applied to most construction/fabrication needs. He and his crew have substantial experience in designing and fabricating large scale stages that quickly assemble\strike and take up a minimal amount of shipping space on tour.
Lighting Design Team
Tucker Braga is a California native and artist currently based in San Francisco. While Tucker attended San Francisco Art Institute, he did not graduate and considers himself largely autodidactic in most of his chosen disciplines. He is currently self-employed in the field of light design and installation.
Most recently, Tucker has been involved in the lighting portions of the build-outs of Mothership restaurant in San Diego, the Tiki bar Dr. Funk in San Jose, and a number of Future Bars ventures in San Francisco, including The Dawn Club, Bottle Club Pub, Nightingale and more. Tucker also played an important role in designing and installing the lighting system in Ivan Lee Mora’s Founding Frequencies, a large piece of public work on the Alexandria Center for Life Sciences campus in San Carlos.
When not designing and installing lighting systems, Tucker can be found building synthesizers and repairing vintage music electronics and audio equipment, often for family, friends, and acquaintances.
Video Documentation Team
Angus McKenny is a freelance filmmaker and video producer whose artistic journey has been driven by a deep love for storytelling through visuals. Hailing from Brisbane, Australia, Angus has spent the last decade refining his craft and cultivating a unique approach to filmmaking. His method centers around a deep respect for the power of storytelling, where every frame becomes an opportunity to captivate and move audiences.
With a creatively keen eye for cinematic composition and a genuine directorial attitude, Angus has collaborated with a diverse range of individuals and entities over the years. From musicians and designers to artists, event companies, and soon-to-be newlyweds, each collaboration has allowed him to tell captivating stories through visually stunning narratives, always seeking to connect with audiences on a profound level.
After years of honing his skills and pursuing his passion, Angus established @aftermidnightfilm.co - Inspired by his dedication to creating meaningful and compelling visual content, After Midnight strives to deliver exceptional storytelling experiences every time the camera’s rolling.
Metal Artist, Art & Build Team
Craig Freeman Smith is an artist, musician and fabricator from Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. After years of building large scale art installations for mseums and galleries, he relocated to Los Angeles to build film sets and props, along with being the main songwriter in the band Love Songs Divine.
Dane Campbell, Build Team
Tom Fiala, Carpenter / Art & Build Team
Possibly a crab. Definitely a carpenter. Born and raised in Seattle, I've spent my whole life being driven by an overwhelming desire to create.
I found my home and community in production design/art department and moved to LA in 2020. I have 42 plants, a uromastyx named Chester and some social anxiety.
(coming soon)
Lighting Design Team
Justin Lui is an artist and designer pursuing the integration of responsive media into the physical world. He explores the intersections between media technology and architecture in order to create objects, spaces, and surfaces which are dynamic and intelligent.
Currently based in Los Angeles, Justin was born and raised in Toronto, Canada, and has previously worked in New York City, Toronto and Berlin. He is an alumnus of UCLA Design Media Arts, UCLA Architecture and Urban Design, and the Carleton University School of Architecture. His artwork has been exhibited in France, Belgium, and Los Angeles.
Special Thanks to….
Jatomis Stevenson, Lighting Design Team
Bill Taylor, Lighting / Art Team
Pete Martinez, Metal Artist / Art & Build Team
Donovan, Art & Design Team
David Peters, Artist (Bike)
Brandon, Logo Design
Lynda Arnold, founder of Sonic Devas Divine Feminine Sound Meditation Experience, is a Sound Meditation Facilitator, Vocalist & Multi-Instrumentalist, Composer and seasoned Performer on a life long mission to build healthy communities through the power of sound and music. She offers sound healing workshops, private sound baths, singing for wellness sessions at some of the top meditation and yoga studios in Los Angeles and beyond. She is featured on the TrippVR, Unplug Meditation and Insighttimer meditation apps. Lynda has appeared and collaborated at Earthdance, Chopra Foundation, Melissa Etheridge Island, Bhakti Fest, Donna Karen/UrbanZen, Alex Grey’s Chapel of Sacred Mirrors, Mindvalley LA Live, The Shift Network, SXSW, Lightning in a Bottle Festival, UNICEF Events, Burning Man and Lucidity Festival among others.
Divasonic, Co-Producer, TAC music and soundscape
