In line with the 10 Principles of Burning Man, interactivity is at the heart of the installation, as it invites wanderers to get lost in the maze and play. The very life of the installation depends on community, asking citizens, artists, and camps to participate in the project by consigning their containers, providing in turn a sense of inclusivity, at the heart of Burning Man’s ethos, and ownership.

Daedalus is decommodified art at its core: ephemeral, like Black Rock City, it cannot be sold. On Labour Day, its modular components cease to exist as an artwork, reverting to their utilitarian, unassuming, working-class nature: the shipping container—one of the most abundant and iconic items in BRC's landscape. The installation itself depends on participation and collectiveness, and will produce little-to-no discard. By repurposing containers already on Playa, it will avoid transport from/to the deposit, decreasing traffic and CO2 emissions.

"Protopia" is a neologism coined by Burning Man's curators to suggest a third path between Utopia and Dystopia—a future where technology creates a better society, though not an ideal one, bringing new challenges alongside progress. As we rush toward this future filled with promises and threats, we must pause to envision it and set our intentions. Individually and collectively, we must nurture this vision by balancing our techno-optimistic aspirations with spiritual, creative, and artistic growth.

In this context, the maze symbolizes the journey of losing oneself to achieve self-awareness and set one's inner compass. In T.S. Elliot’s words: “We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time”. Daedalus embodies this quest, linking the Greek myth of the Labyrinth to a futuristic, multi-dimensional Space-Time inspired by cinematic science fiction aesthetics reminiscent of Interstellar and 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Martini Design Co. is a collective founded by Camille Lanier, Lodovico Marzotto, and Luca Parolari uniting creatives with versatile, practical approaches to art. Our mission is to blend our diverse backgrounds and passion for the arts to craft memorable experiences for Black Rock Citizens, all while playfully honoring Burning Man principles. Our expertise spans stage design for multidisciplinary art events, organizing cultural gatherings in remote locations, managing galleries, and contributing to the design of some of the world’s most iconic buildings.

Martini Design Co. is bringing Daedalus (or Reflections of Daedalus in Space-Time) to Burning Man 2025. An immersive, large-scale maze made of shipping containers, coated in a mirror film inside and outside to evoke a sense of perdition and infinity, and amplify the neon lighting. In line with the theme of BM25 Tomorrow Today, which asks us to reflect on the promises and perils of the future, Daedalus is the ultimate symbol of the expansiveness of what lies ahead, which can take the shape of a utopian dream or dystopian nightmare.

The installation will span 88 x 80 feet (~ 27 x 25 meters): there will be 2 entries, and 2 internal ladders to climb on the containers. The roof will be covered by a wooden boardwalk and a MOOP-free artificial grass-like material. The inner and outer walls of the maze will be coated with a mirror film: from the outside, it will look like an infinite extension of the Playa, from the inside it will contribute to the immersive experience. Internally, fabrics and various natural materials will create additional spaces for visitors to explore in their journey through space and time. At night, neon lights will display coordinated patterns, amplified by the reflective surfaces. 

In line with the 10 Principles of Burning Man, interactivity is at the heart of the installation, as it invites wanderers to get lost in the maze and play. The very life of the installation depends on community, asking citizens, artists and camps to participate in the project by consigning their containers, providing in turn a sense of inclusivity, at the heart of Burning Man’s ethos, and ownership.

Daedalus is decommodified art at its core: ephemeral, like Black Rock City, it cannot be sold. On Labour Day, its modular components cease to exist as an artwork, reverting to their utilitarian, unassuming, working-class nature: the shipping container—one of the most abundant and iconic items in BRC's landscape. The installation itself depends on participation and collectiveness and will produce little-to-no discard. By repurposing containers already on Playa, it will avoid transport from/to the deposit, decreasing traffic and CO2 emissions.

"Protopia" is a neologism coined by Burning Man's curators to suggest a third path between Utopia and Dystopia—a future where technology creates a better society, though not an ideal one, bringing new challenges alongside progress. As we rush toward this future filled with promises and threats, we must pause to envision it and set our intentions. Individually and collectively, we must nurture this vision by balancing our techno-optimistic aspirations with spiritual, creative, and artistic growth.

In this context, the maze symbolizes the journey of losing oneself to achieve self-awareness and find one's inner compass. In T.S. Elliot’s words: “We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time”. Daedalus embodies this quest, linking the Greek myth of the Labyrinth to a futuristic, multi-dimensional Space-Time inspired by cinematic science fiction aesthetics reminiscent of Interstellar and 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Martini Design Co. is a collective founded by Camille Lanier, Lodovico Marzotto, and Luca Parolari uniting creatives with versatile, practical approaches to art. Our mission is to blend our diverse backgrounds and passion for the arts to craft memorable experiences for Black Rock Citizens, all while playfully honoring Burning Man principles. Our expertise spans stage design for multidisciplinary art events, organizing cultural gatherings in remote locations, managing galleries, and contributing to the design of some of the world’s most iconic buildings.