The museum, which was founded in 2019 by architect John Marx and artist Absinthia Vermut, encourages visitors to participate in the creation of its annual exhibition. Lonnie Graham returns as curator/director of cultural inclusion.
“The Museum of No Spectators is a place where everyone is an artist,” said Marx. “We want people to come and share their creativity, regardless of their skill level or experience.”
The 2023 iteration of The Museum of No Spectators includes artwork from, Madelon Vriesendorp, Hank Willis Thomas, Deborah Willis, and other notable artists alongside spontaneous onsite contributions from the public.
This year, the museum built by volunteers has expanded on its 130 sqm (1,400 sqft) steel frame and aluminum-clad structure, at once enlarging the gallery space and providing the finished effect of a beautiful iridescent glow in the sun.
The Museum of No Spectators was thrilled with the positive response to its incorporation of poetry in 2022. In response, the collective is expanding its poetry and spoken word programming for 2023. The museum offered daily readings and workshops and coordinated for several poets to participate. The Museum of No Spectators also provided blank pages of paper to audiences to encourage extemporaneous writing. And, the museum included a new stage for performance art.
Museum of No Spectators Returns to Burning Man in 2023. Photograph by Lonnie Graham.
Museum of No Spectators Returns to Burning Man in 2023. Photograph by Lonnie Graham.
Project description by John Marx
The exhibition is subdivided into eight themed galleries:
Social Justice: Truth, Lies, and Reconciliation.- features artwork that challenges viewers to think critically about these issues.
Snark: Tell it like it is….- with a wry smile including artwork that uses humor and wit to explore social and political issues.
The Poetic Moment.- Moments of grace and inspiration showcase artwork that captures moments of beauty and inspiration in everyday life.
Life’s Journey — Introspection.- invites visitors to reflect on their own lives and experiences through artwork that explores themes of personal growth and transformation.
Museum of No Spectators Returns to Burning Man in 2023. Photograph by Lonnie Graham.
Past, Present + Future.- looks at the past, present, and future of art and culture through a variety of different artworks.
Abundance.- celebrates the abundance of life and creativity in the world through artwork that is both visually stunning and thought-provoking.
People: Sharing Your Humanity.- encourages visitors to connect with each other and share in their commonalities through artwork that celebrates the diversity of human experience.
Art on Playa — Gifting Shop.- is a space where visitors/participants can create and display artwork.
