Curious Josh

11/14/2019 - at the grand opening for @awa.oasia , fabulous #bodypainting from @nicolettespearart was one of the interactive activities being highlighted as available experiences to book with the venue. #dtla #dtlaartsdistrict (at AWA OASIA) https://www.instagram.com/p/B5EWzdRBiyD/?igshid=psbsae8z48yn

Another beautiful #VeniceAfterburn #sunset as both burners and non-burners alike enjoy #KaleidoscopeKandeo on display after its first appearance at #BurningMan this past year (at Venice Beach) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4-eIOdhEDF/?igshid=1tv3f9uf06zh6

Heart-Opening to have art from #BurningMan local in #LosAngeles for a weekend at #VeniceAfterburn #KoroLoko was such a popular spot to take photos, I barely had a moment to get a shot between people enjoying it, and i couldnt be happier about it. It was wonderful seeing people enthralled with local accessibility to the magical art we almost take for granted. (at Venice Beach) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4vKnpEBgFe/?igshid=1bnz2gksp6ctm

I loved the flowers around the man base at #burningMan this year. It felt like a wonderfully relaxing touch combining them with the benches. Did you enjoy these too? I know @hybycozo made the Man this year, but does anyone know if they also made these flowers? #blackrockcity #burningmanart (at Burning Man) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3X0hTXBLvL/?igshid=1idudy7kvgn9v

I wasn't overly impressed the first year seeing only the top shell of the 747 on playa... Three years later I was blown away.  Seeing the entire plane put together, different experiences throughout the interior, and DJ's playing on the wings was impressive. Every veteran friend I encountered on board said the same "this is actually pretty cool!"  I feel like @bigimagination747 could initially see a final vision, got excited about it, and the rest of us only got to see the 747's full glory after a year or two.  I moderate LA Burners, and I usually like to remain objective when I see a witch hunt start, so when the 747 initially got bad press last year, it didn't jibe with what I knew from some great people in the camp, so Bree and I decided to camp with them this year and check it out in person.  First, I'm blown away by how much effort goes into just opening the plane to keep it safe. When open, there were a constant 15 people positioned on and around the plane for safety, apparently down from 25 after safety modifications from last year!  And that doesn’t include the lightning team, people for the interactive experiences, sound, or projections. It was interesting being part of the camp and experiencing people not always understanding that the plane wasn't open, or required staff to man safely.  The plane was open many afternoons, and every night, the main times I saw it closed to the public was for a few hours during dinner for people to get dressed and eat, and for thursday night’s camp dinner until 10pm.  I didn't see any "VIP" wrist bands, and I think this was a misunderstanding. The camp had “crew” wristbands to get on/off for work. I think some mistakenly thought they saw VIPs going on when they were told it was closed. What I saw was a very hardworking camp, determined to bring a large scale experience to the playa, and hoping people saw through some of the falsehoods. And I really admire how they rolled with the trolling. Accused of “VIP” bands, they made a “VIP wristband line” for people to wait in line to go up. I thought they did a really great job, and so glad creating this epic photo with @navaks #fireBreather #BurningMan (at Burning Man) https://www.instagram.com/p/B27vB-UhHxm/?igshid=1rd99gawha6r8

One of my favorite frames from #BurningMan 2019 highlights the juxtoposition of #RadicalSelfExpression and #spirituality that coalesces annually into our #temporaryAutonomousZone In many ways by stepping away from the restrictive binds established in society we all get to explore our own relations to costume and religion. Here we find outfits and spirituality both outlets of the expressive nature celebrated throughout #burner culture and as tied to the #TempleOfDirection as the written expressions that covered its walls. (at Burning Man) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2kjBIOhZFr/?igshid=ovhvmnsjgoqd

Yes, this is @Usher meditating. I had the honor of shooting a wonderful event echoing #Burner values in #Hollywood.  Usher hosted a wonderful launch dinner for @pkconsciousness book #TheFourSacredSecrets. Listening while shooting, so many people were talking about thoughts on making the world a better place through peace and understanding. We hear these types of conversations around our circles of festival friends, and it's truly wonderful hearing echoes of those same sentiments reverberating in the heart of the media center for the world.  And everyone there was nicer than you can possibly imagine. I had amazing conversations with @gerardbutler who just attended #BurningMan for the second time this year (and he really gets it). I met so many wonderful people who really seem aligned with  bringing a better message of peace including @melissa_ethridge @maejor @olivertrevena @therealjohnaustin @mrsdaniellecraig @daniellekaruna @farbod__jamali I had a wonderful conversation with Brazilian-born filmmaker @raulguterres who's planning a documentary film to help save the rain forest, and not only can I not wait to see what he does, it's invigorating to be in a room with people actively working this hard to try and guide us to a better future.  And especially honored to be here because of dear friends @peterruprecht and @shannonshiang. A year ago Peter saw Usher aligning with wonderful directions in his spirituality and brought him to Burning Man, and recommended me to come shoot. Thanks for thinking of me for this brother, it was an honor to support such a wonderful event. And more than that, it was an honor to take the kind of "curiousJosh" spirit I've worked on to give people an outlet to be personable and warm in photos, especially at such a special event where I hope it helps really convey the feeling beyond what you'd get from normal press photos. I think some people did a double take when I asked "would you like a photo?" where there's not usually a choice, and it felt like it really led them to more smiles. And @radiategood ... you're fantastic. It was an pleasure to work on this, and I can't wait to see what other wonderful things you and Harmonica do! (at Gracias Madre) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2XK9PMBgBH/?igshid=rp7vv1tx46p2

I came across this couple and their love-inspired #blacklight decorations at @debicable3d ’s #BurningMan camp and installation. They met at last year’s burn, and although they never painted each other like this before, they had brought blacklight paint, and started one night with a simpler design, then encouraged each other to explore something even more elaborate. I think they were even inspired by Debi’s installation.  When I was driving by, I was stopped in my tracks, not just by how stunningly the glowing design on their faces stood out, but how obviously it projected the wonderful connection they have. What I saw echoed something I’ve seen and loved throughout #burner culture. People are encouraged in forms of expression, then they blossom. I’ve seen this form into art projects, careers, and more.  I used to refer to the Burning Man community in LA a "Cauldron of Creativity," and i continue to #love what I see inspired and encouraged people do. (at Burning Man) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2NcZrWHcA4/?igshid=1gnj84a3xlrjb

My favorite hilariously ironic sign at #BurningMan seems a perfect way to annuonce I'll be posting new #BurningMan2019 photos almost every day for the next few weeks! So be sure to follow me for more pics. Also anyone know who made this piece? It was next to the sign that said "get lost" between 9:00 and the Man, and its not listed in the art guide! Im so glad i got a pic of this while i was chuckling. I also loved the hilariously laughable "Here is your sign!" sign thaw was hanging out around 9 & C. (Download this photo for reposting at curiousjosh.com/dropbox in the BurningMan folder) #SkyPorn (at Burning Man) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2KS54bBpmI/?igshid=1ihdrx6pam6nn

Reflecting on #metamorphosis, this year's #BurningMan theme. Pictured is the finale of @FireAndIceEntertainment's stunning Tuesday night performance. The butterfly was obviously inspired by the theme, but this represented metamorphosis in another far deeper way for me. Ive seen so many people come to burning man and discover themselves . The combination of being able to choose a new identity (playa name), with radical self expression helps people explore who they want to be, without the pressure of how they were previously known. And it really speaks to me in this picture because I was actually the first person to welcome this butterfly, @foxieflambe to the Burning Man scene at a mutaytor show around 2004. Since then ive seen her follow the path of so many other friends and create an entire career out of her passions. For her, its performance. I found photography through. Ive seen others find clothing design, music, dance, art, festival creation, and so many other careers through first exploring what intrests them within their own #RadicalSelfExpression. I'm truly proud of Foxie, and so many other friends who I see successfully transitioning into their passions. The theme may seem to he referencing the recent passing of #LarryHarvey, or the changing demographic of the event itself, but I'm also happy to feel like I've seen the spirit of metamorphosis within burning man attendees since i first started going 21 years ago. (at Burning Man) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2FZwW0B8MX/?igshid=daso6acv87ob

I am absolutely stunned from the beautiful dawn at #BurningMan 's #TreeOfTenere2017 . The color was so beautiful as the first rays of dawn hit the crowd gathered overnight. Amazingly theres #nofilter and #nophotoshop on this one. Ive just slightly adjusted for contrast. The colors were simply this beautiful. And this is a new unreleased shot from 2017! Excited to return to the dust in 7 days! All shots are available to repost for non-commercial instagram use at http://curiousjosh.com/dropbox (at Burning Man) https://www.instagram.com/p/B1UOrc1BLOh/?igshid=pr22th4f77kn

At #BurningMan you get to know the dust storms, and have favorites. Here's another shot during my favorite dust storm at the 2018 temple. See you in the dust in a week! #InDustWeTrust #duststorm (at Burning Man) https://www.instagram.com/p/B1Pt12mhJ86/?igshid=1g28y9c2bg3un

Nothing like bringing the whole squad for an adventure at #BurningMan ! And in all seriousness... burning man is so much more than the sound camps! Make sure to get out and enjoy everything... art and experiences are everywhere. See you in the dust! #InDustWeTrust #RadioFlyer (at Burning Man) https://www.instagram.com/p/B0_vXgsBHrs/?igshid=14s1ukfyvmlkv

This is what DPW does to cars parked in the wrong place when #BurningMan starts... Just Kidding! ...or am I !?! Playing around with HDR for Dustin Weatherford's wonderful "Night at the Climb In." Getting excited for another year at the burn! #dpw #nightAtTheClimbIn (at Burning Man) https://www.instagram.com/p/B09reqSB1ft/?igshid=fg4b5rivfy77

My crazy #Unicorn and I got our #BurningMan tickets! Where's everyone camping, and who's bringing art projects? 😃 #BurningMan2019 (at Burning Man) https://www.instagram.com/p/B07IleEhfy4/?igshid=130ea9sdbytkc

Although @foldhauscollective 's RadiaLumia comes glowingly alive at night, I found even its precisionly crafted skeleton was enticingly contrasted against the daylight sky and dust. #BurningMan #DustStorm #BurningManArt (at Burning Man) https://www.instagram.com/p/B04XEZghtJt/?igshid=yaslxqr423by

Remember to dance like nobody's watching AND you're under a rainbow surrounded by bubbles. #BurningMan #Rainbows #Dance (at Burning Man) https://www.instagram.com/p/B0zU8MzB7pC/?igshid=1pybdfotcleuj