Lover's Tree
A celebration of love at Burning Man, where hearts connect and moments become memories
Help Bring Lover's Tree to Burning Man 2025
We're gathering support to create an even more magical Lover's Tree for 2025. Your donations, volunteer efforts, and spreading the word will make this vision a reality.
The Philosophy
The Lover's Tree celebrates love, the sweetest element of life. My hope is to facilitate moments for people that embody love — to nudge and encourage bravery to let vulnerable love into their hearts and perhaps even spark the beginnings of a life journey.
"To be held together amidst your community by a beautiful tree among all the beauty at Burning Man is a moment that can take your breath away."
These moments of connection will hopefully carry through into the future, melting away challenges and inspiring us to continue to keep our hearts open and love. The Lover's Tree creates a sacred space where couples can express their commitment surrounded by their community.
The installation invites participants to witness love in its many forms — whether it's a formal ceremony, a spontaneous expression of affection, or simply a moment of quiet connection between partners.
This will be at least a 2-year art piece, and I will place a sign communicating that it will be back next year in hopes that certain people may be encouraged to plan a wedding at BM 2026 or even spontaneously during this burn.
The Installation
The Lover's tree consists of a glowing trunk behind which is a built in ladder that allows you to climb into the 3D wooden hands made of layered plywood. The couple is held by the tree for their love to be witnessed and for them to gaze upon their community.
Below the tree is a bench in the shape of a heart that wraps around the tree. The center of the heart is carved out, designed for a couple to sit facing each other in front of the trunk.
In front of the tree is Lover's Gate, which is a free standing structure that has intricate carvings and inward facing light, perfect for photos. On the sides of the gates, I will install 2 lanterns that I designed and built for the Temple of The Heart fence.
Further beyond the gate will be 2 benches for the community to witness the installation. There will be lots of lighting everywhere accentuating the details of the piece.
Project Timeline
From concept to creation and beyond — our multi-year journey to bring Lover's Tree to life
Concept & Inspiration
The initial idea for Lover's Tree was born from a desire to create a space that celebrates love and connection at Burning Man.
Design Phase
Sketches, 3D models, and material research. The design evolved to include the heart-shaped bench and the wooden hands.
Prototype Development
Building small-scale prototypes to test structural integrity and aesthetic elements of the tree and hands.
Construction Begins
Full-scale construction of the tree trunk, hands, and heart bench begins in the workshop.
Lighting & Final Touches
Installation of lighting systems and final artistic details to prepare for the playa environment.
Gravity Camp Deployment
Lover's Tree finds its first home at Gravity Camp, who generously hosted and funded the installation for Burning Man 2024.
First Ceremonies
The inaugural Lover's Tree hosts its first wedding ceremonies and celebrations of love at Burning Man 2024.
Evolution & Enhancement
Based on feedback from the first year, the design is refined with new features and improved lighting systems.
Version 2.0 Construction
Building the second iteration of Lover's Tree with enhanced features and expanded ceremony space.
Return to the Playa
Lover's Tree 2.0 returns to Burning Man with new elements and improved interactive features.
Wedding Space Returns
Lover's Tree returns for a third year, specifically designed to offer a dedicated space for planned weddings and ceremonies.
A Multi-Year Vision
Lover's Tree is committed to a multi-year presence at Burning Man, creating a space where love can be celebrated year after year. Our vision extends beyond 2026, with plans to evolve the installation based on community feedback and experiences. Couples planning future ceremonies can reach out to us in advance to reserve their special moment at Lover's Tree.
About the Artist
Vitaly Winter
"I never dabbled in art nor even visited a home depot until after my first burn in 2013, where I was simply blown away by the creativity and beauty of home made art and the joy that it brought. Each piece was not only beautiful in itself, but it held a story of its creation and its journey to get to the burn."
As a father of 2, he shares the burning man values and culture with his children and gets them involved as much as he can.
Artistic Journey
Psychedelic Tunnel
Created a carport sized enclosure covered in LEDs, a kinect sensor, and speakers that made light patterns react to people and sound.
Deep Playa Installation
Refined the Psychedelic Tunnel and placed it in deep playa.
Emergence
Brought a dome with a kinetic grid of LED squares that moved forward and back to make 3D light patterns.
The Folly
Joined a large construction project and realized the dream to experience being part of a large scale project.
Temple of the Heart
Joined the Temple Build crew, taking ownership of the fence lighting lantern design and manufacturing.
Temple of Together & Lover's Tree
Continuing as the fence and lighting lead for the Temple of Together while also bringing the Lover's Tree prototype to camp.
Artist's Philosophy
Vitaly's approach to art is deeply rooted in community participation and accessible creativity. His work demonstrates that artistic expression is available to anyone with passion and dedication.
Each project builds on skills learned from previous installations, showing an evolution from simple LED displays to complex wooden structures that combine traditional craftsmanship with modern lighting techniques.
Vitaly with the layered wooden components that form the distinctive hands of the Lover's Tree
Gallery
Follow the journey of Lover's Tree from concept to creation, and see how this celebration of love came to life.
Our Sponsors
Lover's Tree is made possible through the generous support of our sponsors and partners
Gravity
We're proud to partner with Gravity, who generously hosted and funded Lover's Tree for its 2024 deployment. Their support has been instrumental in bringing this celebration of love to the Burning Man community.
Learn more about Gravity →Interested in sponsoring Lover's Tree for future deployments? Get in touch
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about visiting and experiencing Lover's Tree at Burning Man
Don't see your question answered here? Email us at info@loverstree.com
Support Lover's Tree
Join our community and help bring this celebration of love to life at Burning Man
Your Contribution Makes a Difference
Your support helps bring this celebration of love to life at Burning Man and supports future art installations.