Bay Area Decompression In Oakland: Art, Fire, Play & People at The Loom

Written By community Member, Ember C.

Art Car Name: Moby the Rainbow Fish

Artists: James Trebesch, Cassandra Caron

Photographer: Susan Becker

Burning Man Decompression is coming back to The Loom!

The heart of this Burning Man recap event, spans far and wide, taking many forms over the years, from different zip codes, states, and even countries. We are lucky to have a local one that has found a home in the SF Bay Area, and for the second year in a row, it’s at our favorite venue, The Loom.

But what is Decompression? How does it relate to the experience of Burning Man? And why do so many people volunteer their time to create these spaces outside of Black Rock City?

Decompression has always been an event like no other. When you think of Burning Man you probably think of twinkling lights, endless music, people dressed to express, and awe-inspiring art. Yes, Decompression has all of this in spades, but like out on the Playa (what burner’s lovingly refer to the Black Rock Desert), that is just scratching the surface of what the Burning Man experience truly can be.

When walking through the twists and turns, exploring each new corner of the event space you will find makers space activations, instructors leading workshops, kid friendly areas and activities, interactive art, speakers and discussion groups, there is fire art, food and drinks, and even a small film festival. The list goes on but you’ll have to come visit to find more of the magic yourself.

Whether you are a Burning Man veteran, a hopeful attendee, or just want to come play, Decompression is a fantastic way to experience a little piece of the Burn closer to home. This event is just as much for the artists and staff putting this on as it is for the people attending.

For artists like myself, it is a chance to bring our art out of the desert and share it with a wider audience. This gives an opportunity for people to see and interact with our pieces who otherwise might never get that chance.

Decompression is about activation and saying yes to exploration! So, get on the art car that looks like your favorite childhood book! Touch that button that shoots fire from a nearby contraption! Climb that rocketship shaped sparkling tower! Pick up that lone mysterious phone and talk to whomever might be on the other side! Participation is exactly what we are hoping for. Those moments are the 10 principals at work, effortlessly integrated though creation, play, and connection.

Art Car Name: Blossom (Bee Here Now)

Artists: Rohan K.(aka Bee Daddy), Misha Mittelbuscher, Ember Christin(aka Bee Mommy)

Photographer: Bill Klemens

What are the 10 principals of Burning Man?

Before learning more about Decompression itself, you’ll need some important context. Written in 2004 by Larry Harvey, they are a set of cultural values lived and practiced at Burning Man. They include radical inclusion, gifting, decommodification, radical self reliance, radical self expression, communal effort, civic responsibility, leave no trace, participation, and immediacy.

Can you spot examples of any as you keep reading?

I have always loved attending the Bay Area’s Decompression events, but I have a deep appreciation for the special way The Loom has been hosting it. Last year it was curated flawlessly to bring that feeling of walking around Burning Man to every corner of the event. Exploring areas both inside and out, finding hidden rooms, chill spaces, copious music, little treats, flaming art, you really never know what you’ll find around the next corner. Each art piece and activation is given their due respect, finding perfect places and times to highlight every one of them.

You want a quiet place to get away from the noise? You’ll be able to find it. You want a stage and some great sound quality? They definitely got that covered! Do you need some air after getting down on the dance floor? Luckily half the event is outside. Maybe you would rather be around all the fire art? They’ve got spaces for that too!

The Loom and Decompression’s production team considers all this and way more behind the scenes when designing the layout for their largest annual event. Not a single square inch of the venue will be empty or feel like an after thought.

2025, every bit felt curated with intentionality. Like at actual Burn, Decompression is designed to pull you into new spaces, encouraging you to interact, but also providing places to take time and rest.

The Loom has worked with dozens of camps and artists to truly create something special for everyone. I am blessed to be one of them, for the second year in a row we will be bringing back our LED bumble bee art car named Blossom. I co-own her with two other incredible artists, Rohan K. (aka Bee Daddy) and Misha Mittelbuscher. My name is Ember Christin, but you can call me “Bee Mommy” if you see me out there. As an camp we are Bee Here Now, we can bee found around the Bay and beyond sharing our buzzing creation! Blossom is a six seater golf cart that we have modified, sporting a bed in the back laying beneath her dazzling LED ribs. Being a bee, Blossom also has LED wings, antennae, and special LED eyes that we can play music videos on through her programming. Her sides are decorated with colorful lights beaming through floral cut wood panels. Bringing her to The Loom last year was a dream for our team and we had the most wonderful time sharing her with attendees. Set up was a breeze, we were given support and all of our needs were easily met by the Loom staff. It gave us so much time to actually enjoy the event and everything it had to offer. My favorite moments were because of this freedom.

Art Piece Name: Haven

Artists: Flaming Lotus Girls/Gabriella Mace

Photographer: Bill Klemens

When I’m not with my art car I have found that my attention more often than not, is being called to the fire. Surrounded by warmth, the sounds of poofers, and utterly entranced by the skilled metal work, I find myself in my happy place.

Among the flames was another metal creation I was very drawn to, a favorite both at Decompression and in Black Rock City, Haven by the Flaming Lotus Girls. Though only one bird of the piece was erected, it did little to diminish the impact it had. Luckily for me it was my favorite bird in the group, the Cockatoo, made by artist Gabriella Mace.

With delicately crafted feathers, little red cheeks, and a grand plumage on his head, all made of metal and expertly welded together, this creature stands as tall as a person. When the daylight fades is when this bird truly shines, well…glows. Flames begin licking up the arm length feathers atop the head, each feather playing with the firelight. Casting a warm glow and inviting you to come closer, Haven creates a unique atmosphere that you just can’t help but check out up close. Well as close as the Flaming Lotus Girls will let you get, it’s their job to keep you safe and educate you about fire art after all!

Art Piece Name: Ascension to Infinity

Artist: Ron Shafer

Photographer: Bill Klemens

While exploring with my team, we all fell in love with a steel tower at first glance and decided we must climb it immediately. I later found out this piece was called Ascension to Infinity by the artist Ron Shafer. We began ascending the corkscrew ladder with people both above and below us.

When we climbed inside the circular port hole at the top, the room was filled with lights and mirrors creating an infinity room. Absolutely stunning, but it was the moment we were about to have that really brought us together.

A young girl had made her way up the tower as well but was less than enthused about the concept of coming back down again. Honestly she was terrified, her mother doing her best to comfort and coax her down the center exit. We all immediately shifted our focus from play to being a support system for this little girl and her mother. Letting her sit in our laps, petting her head, giving her words of encouragement as she slowly calmed down. With some time she dangled her legs over that edge and we never let up with telling her how strong and capable she is. Mom stood just below ready to carry her daughter down safely. After a couple more minutes she looked at each of us once more and made the daunting step down to her mom.

Safely in her arms, they descended together as we cheered. On the ground again they were met with even more people praising her for her bravery and strength. It is moments like these that make this event special. Never would I have thought I’d be spending half an hour gently coaxing a child down from a trippy metal tower with all my friends and a couple strangers.

But witnessing and experiencing such pure human connection is exactly where I want to be. That is the magic of Burning Man, the magic of Decompression, the magic of moments. It’s choosing your own adventure, tuning in to what calls your attention, and letting yourself practice immediacy and truly being in that moment.