BIG inflatable disco ball headed to Burning Man

Burning Man isn't exactly lacking in interesting art and architecture, but the next annual desert gathering may feature a large inflatable mirrored globe among all the other unusual structures. Named the Orb, the art piece is being produced by BIG's Bjarke Ingels, along with collaborator Jakob Lange, and is currently the subject of a crowdfunding campaign.

We've no word on where the impetus for the project came from, but it's tempting to imagine that BIG boss Bjarke Ingels enjoyed himself at last year's festival so much that he was inspired to get involved.

The idea is that people will be able to gaze up at themselves dancing around in the daytime, while at night the Orb will be lit by spotlights and serve as an easily recognizable landmark.

At night the Orb would be lit up by spotlights

Bjarke Ingels/Jakob Lange

If realized, the sphere itself will have a diameter of roughly 100 ft (30 m), which is about 1:500,000th of the earth's surface, says Ingels. The structure will consist of the inflatable sphere, a mast, baseplate, foundations and electrical gear. Once the festival is finished it'll simply be deflated and removed.

Like the Steam Ring Generator, the Orb is being part-funded with a crowdfunding campaign. The firm aims to raise US$50,000 on Indiegogo within the next two months and promised rewards include postcards, posters, and engraved steel spheres, as well as a private visit into the actual orb itself somehow to experience a private audiovisual show.

Check out the video below to see Ingels discussing the project.

Source: Indiegogo