✨ The Sphinxes, ancient guardians of sacred wisdom,
stir once again, preparing to challenge humanity.✨
Their first stop?
The Black Rock Desert in 2025.
These beautiful, enigmatic beings call on us to access the transformative power of self-awareness.
They remind us of our inherent worth and our potential for collective healing and growth.
Your quest for self-discovery and wisdom is central to this story.
Do you hear the call?
stir once again, preparing to challenge humanity.✨
Their first stop?
The Black Rock Desert in 2025.
These beautiful, enigmatic beings call on us to access the transformative power of self-awareness.
They remind us of our inherent worth and our potential for collective healing and growth.
Your quest for self-discovery and wisdom is central to this story.
Do you hear the call?
The Vision
The Story
In Egypt, Greece, Asia, and India, sphinxes have been revered as omniscient guardians of sacred liminal spaces, protecting temples, entrances to ancient cities, and the underworld. In Greek legend, a sphinx challenged people with a riddle. In the Neverending Story, twin sphinxes examined the hearts of those seeking the Southern Oracle.
As society moves through the current inflection period, two Great Sphinxes guard the threshold of an extraordinary world of balance and stability that we can sense is possible. The time draws nigh for their return to the physical world. They are gathering knowledge about humans of this era so they can aid our evolution, and help us to be worthy of our challenges.
As society moves through the current inflection period, two Great Sphinxes guard the threshold of an extraordinary world of balance and stability that we can sense is possible. The time draws nigh for their return to the physical world. They are gathering knowledge about humans of this era so they can aid our evolution, and help us to be worthy of our challenges.
The Destination
Burning Man is an experiment in community and art that has grown to over 80,000 attendees and inspired many other gatherings worldwide. It is known globally for its large-scale art and radical culture. Held annually, this event is a temporary city, erected in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada, USA, that defies what many imagine to be possible. The epically beautiful ancient lake bed known as 'the playa' offers the ideal setting and community for the return of the Sphinxes on their mission to empower humanity.
The Invitation
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Humanity possesses a boundless well of wisdom,
but there has been much trauma and a great forgetting. The Sphinxes invite us on a quest of remembering. Can you share the wisdom you've gained, and the challenges you face now? Will you accept the noble quest to bring the Sphinx Gate Experience to the Playa, and beyond? Follow Along or Get Involved
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Previous Immersive Art-iteration
The Team
Chief Dream Officer
Mareesa Stertz is a filmmaker, storyteller, artist, and community organizer dedicated to fostering collective healing and transformation. As a co-steward of the Global Psychedelic Society (GPS) and co-founder of Lucid News, Mareesa has been building platforms that destigmatize, educate, and build community around psychedelics. Her film work includes producing and hosting the documentary series The Healing Powers (of Psychedelics and Other Mindful Practices) and Damanhur, both streaming on Gaia TV and Amazon. Drawing from her own journey of trauma and transformation, Mareesa is passionate about using storytelling and art to deepen understanding and bring visibility to the process of healing and wholeness. She has shared her experiences on international stages and through teaching, workshops, and retreats. Visit her other work at YourStoryisEverything.com, ConfessionsofaPsychonaut.com, TheSeeingMachine.com, and GlobalPsychedelic.org. Her first burn was in 1999, she has been part of the core team for Zendo operations since 2019, and brought the immersive installation, The Talk Box to Center Camp in 2024.
Mareesa Stertz is a filmmaker, storyteller, artist, and community organizer dedicated to fostering collective healing and transformation. As a co-steward of the Global Psychedelic Society (GPS) and co-founder of Lucid News, Mareesa has been building platforms that destigmatize, educate, and build community around psychedelics. Her film work includes producing and hosting the documentary series The Healing Powers (of Psychedelics and Other Mindful Practices) and Damanhur, both streaming on Gaia TV and Amazon. Drawing from her own journey of trauma and transformation, Mareesa is passionate about using storytelling and art to deepen understanding and bring visibility to the process of healing and wholeness. She has shared her experiences on international stages and through teaching, workshops, and retreats. Visit her other work at YourStoryisEverything.com, ConfessionsofaPsychonaut.com, TheSeeingMachine.com, and GlobalPsychedelic.org. Her first burn was in 1999, she has been part of the core team for Zendo operations since 2019, and brought the immersive installation, The Talk Box to Center Camp in 2024.
Vision and Impact Artivist
As a producer of immersive art and events, and the co-founder of a movement-building nonprofit for environmental justice, Tania Abdul is pushing the frontier to create deeply personal, interactive experiences that expand participants’ understanding of themselves and their community connections. A lifelong activist, her current projects utilize hope, innovation, narrative and documentary content, and visual & performing arts to engage people to create change in themselves and build movements that change the world.
Tania’s past work has included multimedia events (in Los Angeles; Flagstaff, AZ; Fort Lauderdale, FL; and the SF Bay Area), artivism in San Francisco, and experiential art for immersive festivals. One of her goals is to increase access and longevity of impact with hybrid digital formats. She is investigating the potential of VR, AR, and alternate reality experiences to help create vibrant containers that catalyze and support vital relationships within and across communities.
As a producer of immersive art and events, and the co-founder of a movement-building nonprofit for environmental justice, Tania Abdul is pushing the frontier to create deeply personal, interactive experiences that expand participants’ understanding of themselves and their community connections. A lifelong activist, her current projects utilize hope, innovation, narrative and documentary content, and visual & performing arts to engage people to create change in themselves and build movements that change the world.
Tania’s past work has included multimedia events (in Los Angeles; Flagstaff, AZ; Fort Lauderdale, FL; and the SF Bay Area), artivism in San Francisco, and experiential art for immersive festivals. One of her goals is to increase access and longevity of impact with hybrid digital formats. She is investigating the potential of VR, AR, and alternate reality experiences to help create vibrant containers that catalyze and support vital relationships within and across communities.
Priestess of Oversight and Operations
Judy is a San Francisco-based weaver of organizational systems, capital, and collaborative teams to produce webs of impact. She is guided by a passion for community building and collective healing, and she uses her background in nonprofit management, private equity, and art production to create public access to experiential healing. Judy has spearheaded scalable operations across diverse projects, from education policy movements, to nonprofit conferences, to capital markets. Judy's Burning Man career has spanned large operations such as bringing Around the Clock Teahouse to Center Camp and support the Honoraria Grant Recipient: The (Middle Path) Bridge (Between Heaven and Earth) to playa.
Judy is a San Francisco-based weaver of organizational systems, capital, and collaborative teams to produce webs of impact. She is guided by a passion for community building and collective healing, and she uses her background in nonprofit management, private equity, and art production to create public access to experiential healing. Judy has spearheaded scalable operations across diverse projects, from education policy movements, to nonprofit conferences, to capital markets. Judy's Burning Man career has spanned large operations such as bringing Around the Clock Teahouse to Center Camp and support the Honoraria Grant Recipient: The (Middle Path) Bridge (Between Heaven and Earth) to playa.
Ceremonial Extraordinaire
Xochitl Bernadette Moreno is a long time activist and media maker, creator. Co Host & producer for KPFA Radio’s, La Onda Bajita; and Creative Director of Earth Amplified Media, co-producers for Entheogenic Roots, The Indigenous Origins of Psychedelic Culture. Co-founder/Co-Director of ESPHERA.earth and Essential Food and Medicine,who re-indigenizes our community's relationship to land, food and medicine working with the houseless, indigenous, and formerly incarcerated. She is a ceremonialist who works in the healing arts . As a leader with, Solestial.Church, she combines medicines and sacred traditions from her own ancestral Mexican/Australian lineages with various paths from the places she has traveled to study. She blends music, clinical herbalism, bodywork and curanderismo to create balance. She first set foot on the playa in 2007 and was a longtime collaborator with the sound camp Root Society from 2008 to 2019. For the past five years, she has brought healing to GP&E through her co-coordination of Healix.
Xochitl Bernadette Moreno is a long time activist and media maker, creator. Co Host & producer for KPFA Radio’s, La Onda Bajita; and Creative Director of Earth Amplified Media, co-producers for Entheogenic Roots, The Indigenous Origins of Psychedelic Culture. Co-founder/Co-Director of ESPHERA.earth and Essential Food and Medicine,who re-indigenizes our community's relationship to land, food and medicine working with the houseless, indigenous, and formerly incarcerated. She is a ceremonialist who works in the healing arts . As a leader with, Solestial.Church, she combines medicines and sacred traditions from her own ancestral Mexican/Australian lineages with various paths from the places she has traveled to study. She blends music, clinical herbalism, bodywork and curanderismo to create balance. She first set foot on the playa in 2007 and was a longtime collaborator with the sound camp Root Society from 2008 to 2019. For the past five years, she has brought healing to GP&E through her co-coordination of Healix.
Architecture and Design
With over two decades of experience, Jason Chase brings a unique perspective to the world of design. His journey has spanned from tradesman to architect and interior designer, and to the design of buildings and artworks. He thrives on the challenges of creating immersive experiences that engage and inspire and has brought multiple interactive pieces to regional burns and festivals over the last decade.
With over two decades of experience, Jason Chase brings a unique perspective to the world of design. His journey has spanned from tradesman to architect and interior designer, and to the design of buildings and artworks. He thrives on the challenges of creating immersive experiences that engage and inspire and has brought multiple interactive pieces to regional burns and festivals over the last decade.
Orchestrator of Clarity
Persepsion is a master of complex logistics, managing big visions, spreadsheets, and operations. She has served on multiple Burning Man boards, helped run large BM camps, coordinated hundreds of volunteers, managed large scale budgets and accounting, and made many art dreams come true.
Persepsion is a master of complex logistics, managing big visions, spreadsheets, and operations. She has served on multiple Burning Man boards, helped run large BM camps, coordinated hundreds of volunteers, managed large scale budgets and accounting, and made many art dreams come true.
Interactive Design and Fabrication
Eric Bloomquist is an artist and engineer who weaves code, creativity, and curiosity into immersive, interactive experiences. With backgrounds in design, engineering and fabrication; and a penchant for radical self-expression, he has spent years crafting playful, subversive art that invites participants to question, disrupt, and connect. His work spans from intimate, guerrilla-style experiments to large-scale installation; sparking curiosity in unexpected spaces where art and mischief collide. Fueled by a love for community-driven creation, Eric thrives at the intersection of art, technology, and a good dust storm.
Eric Bloomquist is an artist and engineer who weaves code, creativity, and curiosity into immersive, interactive experiences. With backgrounds in design, engineering and fabrication; and a penchant for radical self-expression, he has spent years crafting playful, subversive art that invites participants to question, disrupt, and connect. His work spans from intimate, guerrilla-style experiments to large-scale installation; sparking curiosity in unexpected spaces where art and mischief collide. Fueled by a love for community-driven creation, Eric thrives at the intersection of art, technology, and a good dust storm.
Interactive Art and Experience
Laura Bloomfield (MD/PhD) is a scientist, author, and artist who merges environmental health research with interactive design to create transformative experiences that enhance well-being. As an Assistant Professor at the University of Vermont’s College of Engineering and Mathematics, she leads innovative studies utilizing digital technologies and behavioral interventions to empower individuals to live happier, healthier lives. Laura has directed large-scale, multidisciplinary projects worldwide, blending science and art to explore the powerful diversity of human experiences while celebrating the commonalities that unite us. Her work on the interplay between health and the environment has been featured in prominent outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, NPR, and BBC World News. A creator of multimedia art installations and immersive quests, Laura specializes in designing experiences that inspire self-discovery and deepen connections between participants. Her projects, showcased at large events, combine installations, interactivity, and storytelling to engage audiences in playful yet meaningful ways. A dedicated Burner since 2011, Laura volunteered with the Emergency Services Department for six years (2014–2019). She founded the Insomnophilia theme camp in 2022 which aims to awaken participants physically, mentally, and metaphysically through immersive theater and musical performances, embodying her passion for art that energizes and fosters meaningful engagement.
Laura Bloomfield (MD/PhD) is a scientist, author, and artist who merges environmental health research with interactive design to create transformative experiences that enhance well-being. As an Assistant Professor at the University of Vermont’s College of Engineering and Mathematics, she leads innovative studies utilizing digital technologies and behavioral interventions to empower individuals to live happier, healthier lives. Laura has directed large-scale, multidisciplinary projects worldwide, blending science and art to explore the powerful diversity of human experiences while celebrating the commonalities that unite us. Her work on the interplay between health and the environment has been featured in prominent outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, NPR, and BBC World News. A creator of multimedia art installations and immersive quests, Laura specializes in designing experiences that inspire self-discovery and deepen connections between participants. Her projects, showcased at large events, combine installations, interactivity, and storytelling to engage audiences in playful yet meaningful ways. A dedicated Burner since 2011, Laura volunteered with the Emergency Services Department for six years (2014–2019). She founded the Insomnophilia theme camp in 2022 which aims to awaken participants physically, mentally, and metaphysically through immersive theater and musical performances, embodying her passion for art that energizes and fosters meaningful engagement.
Architectural Design
Sean Stillwell is an artist and architectural designer with over a decade of experience working with commercial and residential architectural firms, as well as custom design & fabrication studios. In addition to creating original artworks, Sean has led teams of designers, contractors, vendors, and fabricators to create large scale sculptures, stage sets, interior design, immersive exhibits, public artworks, and more. His work includes parametric & 3D design, metal & mixed media fabrication, rapid prototyping, LED programming, mapped projection, and immersive experience design in AR/VR. Sean draws on concepts rooted in psychedelic perspective expansion, educational & productive placemaking, and social & environmental activism.
Sean Stillwell is an artist and architectural designer with over a decade of experience working with commercial and residential architectural firms, as well as custom design & fabrication studios. In addition to creating original artworks, Sean has led teams of designers, contractors, vendors, and fabricators to create large scale sculptures, stage sets, interior design, immersive exhibits, public artworks, and more. His work includes parametric & 3D design, metal & mixed media fabrication, rapid prototyping, LED programming, mapped projection, and immersive experience design in AR/VR. Sean draws on concepts rooted in psychedelic perspective expansion, educational & productive placemaking, and social & environmental activism.
Neuroscientist and Wonder-Worker
Melanie Blair Pincus, PhD, is a neuroscientist, inventor, and artist who researches and designs transformative experiences that enhance emotional resilience and cognitive plasticity. Melanie received her B.S. from Stanford University, her Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Emory University, and is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Columbia University. In her doctoral work, she studied the legacy of early life trauma and stress on emotion regulation circuits in the brain, spurring an interest in the types of experiences that can build resiliency and rewire the brain. She is now an independent researcher studying how psychedelics and non-ordinary states of consciousness impact the brain and promote neuroplasticity. Melanie also teaches a course at Columbia University on how childhood play shapes the brain and promotes socioemotional development. Melanie designs play-based installations that blend the educative power of play with biosensing technology to cultivate emotion regulation, connectedness, and complex cognitive skills in children and adults alike.
Melanie Blair Pincus, PhD, is a neuroscientist, inventor, and artist who researches and designs transformative experiences that enhance emotional resilience and cognitive plasticity. Melanie received her B.S. from Stanford University, her Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Emory University, and is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Columbia University. In her doctoral work, she studied the legacy of early life trauma and stress on emotion regulation circuits in the brain, spurring an interest in the types of experiences that can build resiliency and rewire the brain. She is now an independent researcher studying how psychedelics and non-ordinary states of consciousness impact the brain and promote neuroplasticity. Melanie also teaches a course at Columbia University on how childhood play shapes the brain and promotes socioemotional development. Melanie designs play-based installations that blend the educative power of play with biosensing technology to cultivate emotion regulation, connectedness, and complex cognitive skills in children and adults alike.
Interactive Experience Wizard
After earning an MFA from USC’s acclaimed School of Cinematic Arts Interactive Media program, Scott Gillies has worked for over 15 years with companies of every size - from Electronic Arts, Disney Imagineering, Microsoft, and Google to grassroots start-ups. His broad range of design experience includes interactive pieces in educational media, video games, social games, interactive theme park attractions, Emmy® Award-winning transmedia storytelling, toys, R&D and Blue Sky projects that are on the cutting edge of entertainment. Recently, Scott has been experimenting with immersive entertainment in non-traditional spaces, ARGs, and spreading his enthusiasm for game design and analysis through teaching.
After earning an MFA from USC’s acclaimed School of Cinematic Arts Interactive Media program, Scott Gillies has worked for over 15 years with companies of every size - from Electronic Arts, Disney Imagineering, Microsoft, and Google to grassroots start-ups. His broad range of design experience includes interactive pieces in educational media, video games, social games, interactive theme park attractions, Emmy® Award-winning transmedia storytelling, toys, R&D and Blue Sky projects that are on the cutting edge of entertainment. Recently, Scott has been experimenting with immersive entertainment in non-traditional spaces, ARGs, and spreading his enthusiasm for game design and analysis through teaching.
Conscious Technologist
Sven Kaufmann is a Swiss based serial entrepreneur with a conscious mind, vegan, focus on disruptive technologies, plant medicines and food security. He founded the first global mobile roaming company, is a co-founder of super multi-view technology for glasses-free 3D viewing and is also the founder of an award-winning food security company focused on the production of sustainable plant-based protein on non-arable land in development countries. Sven has spent 8+ years working with shamans in Peru and is dedicated to the path of healing for humanity. His latest project is a philanthropic foundation in which he collects transcendent information from the universe to make it available to science and business.
Sven Kaufmann is a Swiss based serial entrepreneur with a conscious mind, vegan, focus on disruptive technologies, plant medicines and food security. He founded the first global mobile roaming company, is a co-founder of super multi-view technology for glasses-free 3D viewing and is also the founder of an award-winning food security company focused on the production of sustainable plant-based protein on non-arable land in development countries. Sven has spent 8+ years working with shamans in Peru and is dedicated to the path of healing for humanity. His latest project is a philanthropic foundation in which he collects transcendent information from the universe to make it available to science and business.
Riddle Master
Peter Martin is an avid gamer, problem solver and student of reality. Shortly after college he founded a disruptive startup in the incentivized digital marketing space, which landed him on Inc 500’s list of fastest growing companies in America, two years running. He later started a VC-backed gaming company focused on the intersection of casual games and online shopping. Peter is constantly thinking how to optimize products, experiences, and mindsets. Over the years he’s built dozens of digital products, worked in the virtual casino space, consulted on gamification for fortune 100 companies, and even took some time off to play professional poker.
Peter Martin is an avid gamer, problem solver and student of reality. Shortly after college he founded a disruptive startup in the incentivized digital marketing space, which landed him on Inc 500’s list of fastest growing companies in America, two years running. He later started a VC-backed gaming company focused on the intersection of casual games and online shopping. Peter is constantly thinking how to optimize products, experiences, and mindsets. Over the years he’s built dozens of digital products, worked in the virtual casino space, consulted on gamification for fortune 100 companies, and even took some time off to play professional poker.
Innovator of Play
Cara Thomas has 15+ years of experience inventing award-winning products for Fortune 500 companies and training hundreds of executives around the world. Along the way she came to the discovery that adventure and playfulness lead to breakthroughs.
As a solo travel experiment to get unstuck –she created an adventure game called 'Serenflipity', designed to get people out of their comfort zones. It's a text message adventure concierge, and a new way to socialize at events, which continues to be sold globally, and has received attention in Forbes, NBC, and in various trend reports.
She guest lectures on innovation, adventure, and creativity at institutions, including Columbia Business School, USC's Marshall School of Business, and Middlebury College.
Cara Thomas has 15+ years of experience inventing award-winning products for Fortune 500 companies and training hundreds of executives around the world. Along the way she came to the discovery that adventure and playfulness lead to breakthroughs.
As a solo travel experiment to get unstuck –she created an adventure game called 'Serenflipity', designed to get people out of their comfort zones. It's a text message adventure concierge, and a new way to socialize at events, which continues to be sold globally, and has received attention in Forbes, NBC, and in various trend reports.
She guest lectures on innovation, adventure, and creativity at institutions, including Columbia Business School, USC's Marshall School of Business, and Middlebury College.
Architectural Consultant
Anael Bonsorte is a Los Angeles-based Production Designer and Art Director who has translated theoretical visions into tangible realities for many clients such as CBS, Universal Pictures, SONY, Time-Warner, NBC, Revlon, MTV, Fox and for many feature films. Through the fabrication of Egyptian inspired set elements on the film "Stargate," to sculpting the interior of the RA at the Luxor hotel in Las Vegas, to the carving of alien spaceships of "Independence Day," to building model ships for "Titanic", Anael's creativity channels his abundant love for art and enables him to produce breathtaking builds that elevate imagination and exceed clients' greatest expectations.
Anael Bonsorte is a Los Angeles-based Production Designer and Art Director who has translated theoretical visions into tangible realities for many clients such as CBS, Universal Pictures, SONY, Time-Warner, NBC, Revlon, MTV, Fox and for many feature films. Through the fabrication of Egyptian inspired set elements on the film "Stargate," to sculpting the interior of the RA at the Luxor hotel in Las Vegas, to the carving of alien spaceships of "Independence Day," to building model ships for "Titanic", Anael's creativity channels his abundant love for art and enables him to produce breathtaking builds that elevate imagination and exceed clients' greatest expectations.