The Burning Man festival returns to Black Rock City, a participative temporary metropolis in the Nevada desert, after a gap of two years due to the global pandemic. The festival, initiated to promote anti-consumerism and self-expression, is developed by way of an ecosystem of artists, makers, and community organisers who co-create art, events, and local initiatives around the world. As part of the festival, the interactive art installation 1:44 Inter-dimensional Space Time Portal, a collaboration between the US-based Harlan Emil Gruber and South African Intuitive Healer Maraya received an honorarium grant. Emil Gruber with his art and design practice has regularly combined his interest in science and art. Maraya is a representative of the Galactic Federation and Galactic Council. 

In an interview with STIR, Emil Gruber talks about this collaboration with Maraya, “I have been building interactive ‘portal’ installations for Burning Man since 2004. My friend, South African intuitive healer Maraya, attended Burning Man in 2019.  I offered to collaborate with her for 2020 as a container for the work she does to align the timelines. She came up with the form and name of the art installation and I have developed it into a structure that I can build and bring to Burning Man. Due to COVID-19, it has been postponed to 2022.” 

The 1:44 Inter-dimensional Space Time Portal consists of two arches 16 feet high crossing at right angles aligned to north-south and east-west, standing on a circular ring 32 feet in diameter laying on the ground. From above we see the cross in the circle, our earth symbol. In the centre of the circle is 12-stepped Mayan pyramid, 11 feet high and 20 feet square, that can be both climbed upon and entered within. It is undeniable that the concept of time and space has been of consistent interest to art practitioners. 

Maraya delves into this idea, “The time/space pyramid is the pattern within our heart. Following the law of 'As Above, So below', the pyramid becomes an octahedron, which develops into our vehicle of light. This pattern enables us to travel through the time and space of our own consciousness recognising ourselves as multi-dimensional beings of the light. The circles around the pyramid align the timelines and dimensions, vertically aligning our light stream, connecting us to all that we are.”

While closely observing the installation one can see inside the circle a play of the universe as if the earth floats in the night sky. The human soul is reflected through the patterns of the stars and planets. On all the sides of the arches, the light language symbols are inscribed which are illuminated from within. As one enters the pyramid one can hear the singing of the Codes of Creation through the Light of the Elohim and the sounds of creation of the creators of this universe, the Avatars. Together, the sounds and symbols are designed to prompt the remembrance and return of the divine nature.

This design of the installation serves as an access point to the physical dimensions and timelines. The arch placed in the east-west direction is beginnings and completion, the first and second dimensions upon which all others follow. The north-south arch is future and past. The horizontal ring lying upon the planet earth is the embodiment of the ever-present multi-dimensional nature of being, where paradise meets earth. 

Given the scale of the installation, the task of making the infrastructure must have posed a series of challenges. Emil Gruber admits, “This is the largest, most complicated structure I have undertaken. I do not have a studio or workshop where I am living in Joshua Tree, Ca. and had to create an outdoor space to build the project. I am fortunate to have connected with an architect that created a set of CAD drawings and many other people are synchronistically stepping up to help with the fabrication, electricity, lighting, transport and installation at Burning Man.” 

To mention, the design of the pyramid offers an access point to remembering the self. As mentioned, it also follows the law of, ‘As above, So below’, so the arches imply the absolute circles with the potential for motion through the circles and cycles of time and space. This structure of the pyramid as well as the key codes and patterned light threads prompts the human consciousness into awakening to itself.

When it comes to the viewers, the installation 1:44 Inter-dimensional Space Time Portal opens a possibility to experience the inner space which is a rare opportunity. Moreover, it awakens the self to not a one-dimensional reality, but to multi-dimensional reality. As Maraya rightly mentions towards the end of the interview, “The viewers should have a clear picture of what the patterns look like that we hold within our hearts, aligning us to the many timelines and dimensions.” 

The Burning Man festival runs in the Nevada desert from August 28-September 5, 2022.