About the Project

The Dreamer was commissioned by Burning Man in 2005, as part of its theme ‘Psyche’. Inspired by the images of Magritte and other surrealists, this half-submerged form of a head is both ominous and whimsical; it’s bright purple color contradicting any foreboding nature of its gaze. The scale and bold color of The Dreamer add to its commanding, supernatural presence, but also provokes amusement and invites curiosity. The piece is striking at a distance, but also surprisingly approachable, with an almost magnetic affect.

“The Black Rock Arts Foundation is changing the way this city looks at public art, installation by installation. The Dreamer is yet another example of the kind of imaginative artwork that stimulates thoughtful conversation and enlivens our public spaces.”
Gavin Newsom, Mayor of San Francisco