Worshiping Excess And Greed

With the setting sun as the backdrop, silhouetted figures appear to worship a rising column of flame. This is aptly called the “Crude Awakening” display. It features a towering, almost 100-foot tall, wooden oil derrick. This massive structure was built to release a powerful fire, using 900 gallons of jet fuel and 2,000 gallons of liquid propane.

Though eye-catching, many attendees felt this was a wasteful use of oil. It was also among the priciest artworks at the festival. The sculptures, positioned as if revering the flames, symbolize our deep reliance on harmful fossil fuels, pointing out the environmental toll of our choices rather ironically.