As Above, So Within
A walk-in fractal sculpture for Burning Man 2026
Where Persian mythology meets mathematical infinity
The Vision
As Above, So Within bridges the ancient wisdom of Persian mythology with the infinite complexity of fractal mathematics. This walk-in sculpture invites visitors to step inside a living mathematical form—a three-dimensional Mandelbulb that echoes the legendary Gaokerena, the Tree of Life.
In Persian cosmology, the Gaokerena stands at the center of the world, its branches reaching toward the heavens while its roots delve into the deepest waters. The divine Simurgh bird nests in its crown, guardian of wisdom and renewal. This sculpture embodies that same duality: exterior complexity that gives way to an interior sanctuary.
The Mandelbulb formula—a three-dimensional extension of the Mandelbrot set—generates endlessly recursive patterns that mirror natural forms: clouds, mountains, the branches of trees. At Burning Man 2026's "Axis Mundi" theme, this piece becomes a literal axis point where participants can enter the infinite, crossing the threshold between mathematical abstraction and embodied experience.
"The pattern of the universe is written in the smallest seed and the largest galaxy. Step inside, and become part of the infinite."
Design & Fabrication
Technical Specifications
Scale
14'7" wide × 10'6" tall
Interior Space
Walk-in chamber accommodating 2-3 people, with a 7'2" entrance opening
Geometry
3D Mandelbulb fractal generated via custom Grasshopper/Python algorithms using marching cubes mesh generation
Fabrication
Large-format 3D printing in ASA filament with iridescent automotive coating
The Experience
Approaching the sculpture, visitors encounter a shimmering, color-shifting surface that catches desert light in constantly changing ways. The exterior complexity—thousands of bulbous protrusions in recursive fractal patterns—creates an almost organic presence, like a cosmic seed pod emerging from the playa.
Crossing the threshold, the interior transforms into a contemplative sanctuary. Soft fiber optic lighting embedded in the walls creates a subtle glow, while the smooth interior surfaces echo the external geometry at a more intimate scale. Here, participants can sit in small groups, experiencing the sculpture from within—becoming part of the fractal itself.
At night, projection mapping activates the exterior surfaces with flowing, generative patterns that respond to the sculpture's mathematical DNA, creating a living, breathing artwork that bridges the digital and physical realms.
Gallery
As Above, So Within on the playa
Intricate fractal surface detail
Interior entrance mandala
Technical dimensions
Stay Connected
Follow the journey from concept to playa. Get updates on design progress, fabrication milestones, and installation plans.
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