NESTED HEART - BURNING MAN 2025
Nested Heart has been selected as a 2025 Burning Man Honoraria Grantee.
Nested Heart is a sculptural installation of two Cormorants, on the Playa drying their wings in a gesture that symbolizes pausing for a moment of gratitude after a triumph or challenge; a reset before moving on to the next quest or adventure.
The proposed birds are 22 feet high and 28 ft wide (each) and feature a nest built into the chest cavity of both birds. As the participant enters the heart of the bird, a sound loop is triggered, featuring a soundtrack from Australia's indigenous First Nations people, who had a profound relationship to this bird. The music is composed to facilitate a meditative state to contemplate the spiritual pause between times of action.
The Story of Medi - the Nyungat soul-bird
The conveying and guiding of souls (kadjin or kaanya) of the deceased to their final resting place (Kurannup) across and beneath the Western sea was believed to be the responsibility of the sea-faring Pied Cormorant (Phalacrocorax varius). Its Nyungar name medi or meedee translates as ‘agent’ or ‘medium’ and possibly refers to its role as an intermediary between the world of the living and the afterlife. This iconic diving bird was perceived in metaphorical terms as the vehicle or psychopomp (deriving from the Greek psukhe, soul and pompos, conductor) ferrying the souls of the departed to the afterworld.
One early ethnohistorical account that alludes to the spiritual significance of this bird in relation to departed spirits is contained in the work of Mr Phillip Chauncy who was the Western Australian Government Assistant Surveyor from 1841-1853. He writes:
‘Before the arrival of a ship from Europe, the Swan River natives supposed that the spirits of the deceased passed into the cormorants which frequent the Mewstone, a granite rock some miles out in the sea opposite the mouth of the Swan River, called by them Gudu mitch, a compound of Gu-urt, the “heart,” and mit or mitch, the “medium” or “agent” – signifying that this island is the medium or agent by which the spirit of the departed one enters the body of a cormorant. Large flights of these birds used to pass up the estuary of the Swan every morning on fishing excursions, and return to the Mewstone in the evening, and the natives refrained from killing them lest thereby they should be slaying their ancestors. When, however, they saw ships coming from the same direction, and bringing white people, they called them Djenga, or ghosts, supposing them to be the re-embodiments of their progenitors who had come back to the land of their birth’ (Chauncy in Brough Smyth 1878: 269).
Drying Wings, Spiritual meaning....
The Cormorant’s habit of drying its wings after diving is a reminder of the importance of balance and self-care. This bird doesn’t rush from one dive to the next—it takes the time to spread its wings, bask in the sun, and prepare for its next endeavor. Similarly, after achieving a goal, pause to celebrate your success, reflect, and express gratitude before diving into the next challenge. Gratitude fuels purpose and replenishes your spirit, helping you stay aligned with your heart’s true desires.
The Cormorant is a powerful aviator with a strong bond to the Water Element. The bird dives up to 100 feet when catching fish. Cormorants can also hold their breath underwater for over a minute. Its diving abilities and its skill in navigating water give the creature symbolic ties to the subconscious, dreams, imagination, and emotional exploration. The actual word “Cormorant” didn’t come into usage until the early 1300s, which links Raven symbolism to the creature as the word originates from the Late Latin “corvus marinus,” meaning “Sea Raven.” So, Cormorant, like Raven, represents the mysteries, spirit communication, and astral flight or movement between realms.
Romance and Family
Cormorants are one of only eight species of bird that mates for life. The astounding birds are also an excellent example of cooperative parenting. Once the eggs arrive, both mother and father take turns sitting on them. The mutual parenting does not stop after hatching when both parents feed their young. Here, Cormorants are symbols of family ties, bonding, and nurturing.
Cormorant, Spirit Bird
Many times, Cormorant Spirit Animals come to those about to engage in community service. Cormorant is here as a helpmate in your efforts, guiding you through group dynamics, which can prove tricky otherwise. In nature, the Cormorant dries their wings in the sun. The creature poses the question, “When do you come out into the light of the day and open your wings? Look to the sky, offer your gratitude, then fly..."
Nested Heart is a sculptural installation of two Cormorants, on the Playa drying their wings in a gesture that symbolizes pausing for a moment of gratitude after a triumph or challenge; a reset before moving on to the next quest or adventure.
The proposed birds are 22 feet high and 28 ft wide (each) and feature a nest built into the chest cavity of both birds. As the participant enters the heart of the bird, a sound loop is triggered, featuring a soundtrack from Australia's indigenous First Nations people, who had a profound relationship to this bird. The music is composed to facilitate a meditative state to contemplate the spiritual pause between times of action.
The Story of Medi - the Nyungat soul-bird
The conveying and guiding of souls (kadjin or kaanya) of the deceased to their final resting place (Kurannup) across and beneath the Western sea was believed to be the responsibility of the sea-faring Pied Cormorant (Phalacrocorax varius). Its Nyungar name medi or meedee translates as ‘agent’ or ‘medium’ and possibly refers to its role as an intermediary between the world of the living and the afterlife. This iconic diving bird was perceived in metaphorical terms as the vehicle or psychopomp (deriving from the Greek psukhe, soul and pompos, conductor) ferrying the souls of the departed to the afterworld.
One early ethnohistorical account that alludes to the spiritual significance of this bird in relation to departed spirits is contained in the work of Mr Phillip Chauncy who was the Western Australian Government Assistant Surveyor from 1841-1853. He writes:
‘Before the arrival of a ship from Europe, the Swan River natives supposed that the spirits of the deceased passed into the cormorants which frequent the Mewstone, a granite rock some miles out in the sea opposite the mouth of the Swan River, called by them Gudu mitch, a compound of Gu-urt, the “heart,” and mit or mitch, the “medium” or “agent” – signifying that this island is the medium or agent by which the spirit of the departed one enters the body of a cormorant. Large flights of these birds used to pass up the estuary of the Swan every morning on fishing excursions, and return to the Mewstone in the evening, and the natives refrained from killing them lest thereby they should be slaying their ancestors. When, however, they saw ships coming from the same direction, and bringing white people, they called them Djenga, or ghosts, supposing them to be the re-embodiments of their progenitors who had come back to the land of their birth’ (Chauncy in Brough Smyth 1878: 269).
Drying Wings, Spiritual meaning....
The Cormorant’s habit of drying its wings after diving is a reminder of the importance of balance and self-care. This bird doesn’t rush from one dive to the next—it takes the time to spread its wings, bask in the sun, and prepare for its next endeavor. Similarly, after achieving a goal, pause to celebrate your success, reflect, and express gratitude before diving into the next challenge. Gratitude fuels purpose and replenishes your spirit, helping you stay aligned with your heart’s true desires.
The Cormorant is a powerful aviator with a strong bond to the Water Element. The bird dives up to 100 feet when catching fish. Cormorants can also hold their breath underwater for over a minute. Its diving abilities and its skill in navigating water give the creature symbolic ties to the subconscious, dreams, imagination, and emotional exploration. The actual word “Cormorant” didn’t come into usage until the early 1300s, which links Raven symbolism to the creature as the word originates from the Late Latin “corvus marinus,” meaning “Sea Raven.” So, Cormorant, like Raven, represents the mysteries, spirit communication, and astral flight or movement between realms.
Romance and Family
Cormorants are one of only eight species of bird that mates for life. The astounding birds are also an excellent example of cooperative parenting. Once the eggs arrive, both mother and father take turns sitting on them. The mutual parenting does not stop after hatching when both parents feed their young. Here, Cormorants are symbols of family ties, bonding, and nurturing.
Cormorant, Spirit Bird
Many times, Cormorant Spirit Animals come to those about to engage in community service. Cormorant is here as a helpmate in your efforts, guiding you through group dynamics, which can prove tricky otherwise. In nature, the Cormorant dries their wings in the sun. The creature poses the question, “When do you come out into the light of the day and open your wings? Look to the sky, offer your gratitude, then fly..."
GET INVOLVED
There will be fundraising drives and volunteer opportunities as we get closer to the Burn, stay tuned to this page for all updates.