Welcome to Burning Man Earth
Mapping the Cultural Genome
Would you like to always be able to find what's happening at Black Rock City ... or maybe zoom over to your favorite theme camp, zip out to deep-playa art installations, even year around? Welcome to Burning Man Earth: a collection of interrelated mapping and communication projects for Burning Man. You can connect with your fellow participants, search the event, view present and historical imagery and virtual 3D representations of the playa; and much, much more
Photography
Burning Man Earth for 2008 created an extremely high resolution image of the playa that can be bought as a museum quality art print (proceeds to help support the project), and as a gigapan. We also have some examples of kite photography and gigapans, and hope to do much more in 2009.
Maps & GPS
We are currently working on new ways to see an interactive playa, including theme camps, art, and events, using mobile devices instead of traditional GPSes. In addition, we are developing GPS maps that will be available before the event, but the best ones will be released Monday when the gates open. Last year, our Garmins were loaded with maps of all the artwork and theme camps, and we intend to create an even better suite of GPS maps for 2009
Virtual Playa
Continuing our tradition of creating 3D representations of artwork on the playa, you can get involved and model your own art installation in sketchup and send it to us to include in the virtual playa for any year. Using Google Earth you can fly or walk through Black Rock City, seeing a virtual playa for each year. You can also space plan your own camp using our custom camp modules.
Web Tools
We're also shooting to release an interactive web application similar to PlayaInfo to help allow people to search, find, and interact with digital data related to Burning Man. Using these tools, you will be able to view maps for events, art, theme camps, and people, making it easier to connect with loved ones on and off the playa.
Please send questions, comments or suggestions to bmanearth (at) burningman (dot) com.
Thank you for participating in Burning Man Earth ... the playa, year round! 
