Hailing from Valencia, Spain, Miguel Arraiz García, an architect and artist with a flair for ephemeral architecture grew up immersed in Las Fallas, a wild festival where massive structures are built and then dramatically burned down. The idea of temporary architecture and its power to tell stories sparked a lifelong fascination in García’s mind. The passion found a new home in 2016 when he brought ‘Renaixement’ to Burning Man, his first taste of the desert’s creative chaos. The spirit of radical expression and tight-knit community vibe hooked him right away, kicking off an artistic journey that’s still unfolding.
Fast forward to 2025, Miguel Arraiz García has been turning heads with his breathtaking large-scale installation to feature at 2025 Burning Man in Nevada. Dubbed, Temple of the Deep, the concept draws inspiration from the volcanic landscape of Black Rock City. Architects Javier Molinero, Javier Bono, Arqueha, and Josep Marti are collaborators on the project and will be joined by hundreds of volunteers to bring García’s vision to life. To know more about the installation, Homecrux got in touch with Miguel Arraiz García. Here is what he had to say.
Homecrux (HC) Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your artistic journey? How did you get into creating large-scale installations?
Miguel Arraiz García (MG): I’m an architect and artist based in Valencia, Spain, with a deep connection to ephemeral architecture. My background in Las Fallas, a festival rooted in the creation and burning of monumental structures, has greatly influenced my approach to large-scale installations and storytelling through space. My first experience at Burning Man was in 2016 when I designed Renaixement, a large-scale piece that brought the tradition of Fallas to the play. That project was my introduction to the event’s creative ecosystem and how it fosters radical self-expression and community-driven art.
HC: How did you come to be involved in Burning Man, and what was the initial inspiration for The Temple of the Deep?
MG: My introduction to Burning Man came through a cultural exchange between Valencia and Black Rock City, where I had the chance to bring Renaixement in 2016. That experience reshaped my understanding of public art, participation, and how temporary structures can hold deep emotional meaning. Since then, I’ve remained engaged with the Burning Man community as the Regional Contact in Spain. The idea for The Temple of the Deep emerged from a deeply personal place. It was born out of a grieving process and the need to create a space for reflection and transformation. I was particularly drawn to the origins of sacred spaces—how, before architecture, humans found sanctity in nature itself. The design takes inspiration from ancient geological formations, particularly volcanic stones, to evoke a primal, timeless quality that invites contemplation.
HC: What does The Temple of the Deep symbolize, and how does it relate to the volcanic geography of Black Rock City?
MG: The temple embodies introspection, transformation, and connection to elemental forces. Its design is inspired by natural stone formations, referencing the volcanic origins of the Black Rock Desert. By resembling a large, eroded rock, the temple becomes a symbolic link to geological time, encouraging visitors to reflect on impermanence and renewal. Beyond its form, the temple serves as a communal space for mourning, remembrance, and emotional catharsis, much like ancient natural sites that held sacred meaning long before formal temples existed.
HC: The title itself evokes mystery and depth. How does the installation invite visitors to reflect or engage on a deeper, perhaps spiritual, level?
MG: Unlike traditional temples with altars, The Temple of the Deep is centered around an agora—a gathering space meant to foster connection and shared experiences. The goal is to shift the focus from looking upwards for solace to finding it in the community and the land itself. Visitors will be encouraged to bring offerings, write messages, and engage in personal rituals of grief, healing, and remembrance. Over the course of the week, these contributions will build a collective energy that culminates in the final burn, symbolically releasing the emotions and memories left within the structure.
HC: What kind of materials will be used, and how will they interact with the desert surroundings? Are there any sustainable or innovative elements in the construction?
MG: As the temple is designed to be burned, material selection is crucial. We are currently in the process of defining the best materials that align with Burning Man’s environmental guidelines, ensuring minimal ecological impact. The main structure will be built from sustainably sourced wood, treated to burn cleanly without releasing harmful residues. Another key consideration is how the materials interact with the desert landscape. The design plays with light and shadow, creating an ever-changing experience throughout the day. While sustainability is always a challenge in ephemeral architecture, our focus is on reducing waste and ensuring that every material used aligns with the principles of Leave No Trace.
HC: What type of experience do you hope participants will have when they visit Temple of the Deep?
MG: I hope the temple offers visitors a space for deep emotional release, whether they come to grieve, honor memories, or simply sit in quiet contemplation. The energy of the space will be shaped by the people who visit it, filling it with personal stories and shared emotions. Unlike religious temples that direct one’s gaze to the heavens, this structure is meant to ground people—to remind them that solace can be found in the land beneath them and in the connections they form with others. More than an architectural object, it’s a space designed to facilitate a collective journey of transformation.
HC: How does Temple of the Deep fit within the larger context of art at Burning Man? What role do you see your work playing in the broader conversation of art and community at the festival?
MG: The temple holds a unique place at Burning Man, distinct from other large-scale artworks. While much of the event’s art is about radical expression and spectacle, the temple is one of the few spaces dedicated to stillness, grief, and transformation. It’s one of the only places where silence is encouraged, offering a powerful contrast to the rest of the festival. My work seeks to bridge ancient and contemporary narratives, using ephemeral architecture to create spaces that feel both timeless and deeply relevant. By drawing inspiration from natural forms and sacred landscapes, The Temple of the Deep contributes to the broader dialogue about the role of art in fostering human connection, ritual, and collective healing.
We thank Miguel Arraiz García for taking time out for this insightful conversation with us.
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