Ouroboros at Burning Man 2025: A Loop of Light, Made for Us All
Hi, I’m Youtian—also known as Master Splinter on the Playa. I’m an independent artist creating sculpture-like furniture and large-scale installations rooted in softness, surrealism, and connection. Alongside my grade school friend Kai Zhang and many others who believe in this vision, we’re building an interactive inflatable sculpture called Ouroboros for Burning Man 2025—and we need your help to bring it to life.
Why this project?
I’ve always been drawn to the quiet spaces between people—the moment a stranger becomes a friend, the warmth of being seen, the deep need we all share to belong. As someone who often feels too soft for this world, I create spaces that hold others gently. I believe art can be a vessel for tenderness, play, and healing.
What is Ouroboros?
Ouroboros is a large, climbable inflatable sculpture shaped like a trefoil knot and a looping snake—symbolizing endless return and the cycles of connection. It will glow with light that responds to touch. When multiple people interact with it, the lights will trace paths between their touch points, forming illuminated threads of shared presence.
It’s more than a sculpture—it’s an invitation.
A place to
play.
A place to be held.
A place to remember you’re not alone.
Why we need your support
Creating something on this scale—safe, durable, interactive, and beautiful—takes more than passion. It takes materials, technical expertise, transportation, and time.
Your contribution will help us cover:
-
Inflatable structure materials and fabrication
-
Touch-responsive light system (sensors, wiring, power)
-
Transportation to the desert
-
Safety and installation gear
You’re part of this too
This project isn’t just for us, the creators—it’s for all of us. Your support means more than funding. It means you believe in softness. In togetherness. In strange, glowing sculptures that welcome everyone—especially those who don’t always know where they fit.
If you’ve ever longed for a place to be held without words, to feel wonder, or to connect without pressure—Ouroboros is for you.
Thank you, truly.
With all my softness,
—Splinter
Our Team
Lead Artist and Fabricator Youtian, aka Master Splinter, is a multidisciplinary artist with degrees from Harvard and RISD. Based in Brooklyn, they are currently focusing on functional sculpture that merges material expertise with their dream-inspired artistry. In 2024, Youtian attended their first Burning Man, helping to build the 26-foot "Mona Mushroom" and supporting camp operations. | 
Lead Designer and Engineer Kai is a computational designer interested in digital fabrication and geometry optimization. He has worked on projects ranging from 3D-printed eyelashes and consumer electronics to architectural-scale inflatables. With design degrees from RISD and Harvard, Kai often gets lost in creating some bizarre yet intriguing works. | 
Ivy Wang Art Support Camp Lead Ivy, aka Plasma 🌟 Last year marked my first Burning Man adventure, where I joined Mona Camp as a graphic designer and discovered the profound creativity of the community. Inspired by the spirit of Burning Man artists, I’m committed to carrying that energy forward. With 8 years of experience in graphic design, I’m passionate about working with eco-conscious clients and incorporating recyclable materials into my creations. My career has shaped my adaptability and given me a knack for diving into unique industries, creating designs that truly resonate. Driven by a zest for life and travel, I’ve embraced challenges and growth along the way. Ready to share, connect, and explore with fellow burners! | 
Fundraising Lead Joyce, aka Cat, is a Starseed, yogi, and life artist. In the 3D world, she is an expert in business development and data management, with an educational background from Northeastern University and MIT. While working in tech, she also embraces a magical approach to life, where belief and creativity connect today with tomorrow. In 2024, Joyce attended her first Burning Man, supported camp operations. She discovered the power of connection through art, inspiring her to share this with a wider audience. | 
Sound Designers Bobi & Fliko is an electronic duo beyond genres—no boundaries, no prejudice. Just hypnotic grooves, tribal echoes, meditative waves, and moments that linger. Rooted in Eastern Asia, their sound channels Zen flow, ritual energy, raw emotion, and therapeutic soundscapes, creating a shared journey with the audience, seeking the intersection of primordial movement and machine ritual mysticism. | 
Visual Designer Goes by Rui(ru-ee), is an Italian-born Chinese illustrator and designer who studied at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). She has a deep passion for birds (especially pigeons), crochet, psychology, astrology, and random scientific fun facts. Currently working as a full-time brand designer. Previous commissioned works include projects for Bilibili, Bosch, and Tencent Games, alongside serving as the design director for Helios, a pickleball paddle start-up. Her work spans branding, illustration, and visual storytelling. |
Advisor of the Project Charles Gadeken is an industrial artist who has been working in the Bay Area for over 25 years. His monumental interactive public artworks reimagine the world “post-nature” and include commissions from Burning Man, Insomniac Events, Coachella, Absolut Vodka, and the cities of Palo Alto, San Francisco, and Reno. Charles is the advisor for the Ouroboros project, helping us bring the art to the playa in all aspects, including fundraising, art building, and camp setup. |
Perks
A pocket-sized portal to connection—stick the spirit of Ouroboros wherever you go.
If you order this perk, it will be shipped after we return from the dust in October, 2025.
Graphic designed by our beloved team member, Rui Ruihong Jiang.
Comfy Tee with Ouroboros design on the front and back.
If you order this perk, it will be shipped after we return from the dust in October, 2025.
Graphic designed by our beloved team member, Rui Ruihong Jiang
Carry the loop of connection—support Ouroboros and hold it close.
If you order this perk, it will be shipped after we return from the dust in October, 2025.
Graphic designed by our beloved team member, Rui Ruihong Jiang.
Comfy Hoodie with Ouroboros design on the front and back.
If you order this perk, it will be shipped after we return from the dust in October, 2025.
Graphic designed by our beloved team member, Rui Ruihong Jiang
Highlights
See all activity5Activity
A pocket-sized portal to connection—stick the spirit of Ouroboros wherever you go.
If you order this perk, it will be shipped after we return from the dust in October, 2025.
Graphic designed by our beloved team member, Rui Ruihong Jiang.
Comfy Tee with Ouroboros design on the front and back.
If you order this perk, it will be shipped after we return from the dust in October, 2025.
Graphic designed by our beloved team member, Rui Ruihong Jiang
Carry the loop of connection—support Ouroboros and hold it close.
If you order this perk, it will be shipped after we return from the dust in October, 2025.
Graphic designed by our beloved team member, Rui Ruihong Jiang.
Comfy Hoodie with Ouroboros design on the front and back.
If you order this perk, it will be shipped after we return from the dust in October, 2025.
Graphic designed by our beloved team member, Rui Ruihong Jiang
