Larry Harvey

Date of Birth: January 11, 1948

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

Date of Death: April 28, 2018

Biography

Larry Harvey was an American artist, philanthropist, and the co-founder of the annual Burning Man festival. Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Harvey’s artistic and philosophical inclinations were evident from a young age. He moved to San Francisco in the late 1970s, where he became deeply involved in the city’s vibrant counterculture scene. In 1986, Harvey and his friend Jerry James constructed a wooden effigy and burned it on Baker Beach in San Francisco to celebrate the summer solstice, an event that would eventually evolve into the globally renowned Burning Man festival. Harvey remained the driving force behind Burning Man, shaping it into a unique cultural phenomenon that emphasizes community, self-expression, and self-reliance. He passed away in 2018, leaving behind a legacy of creativity and community building.

5 Interesting Facts about Larry Harvey

1. Larry Harvey did not have a formal education in the arts; he was largely self-taught.

2. The first Burning Man was attended by just 20 people, but the festival now attracts over 70,000 participants annually.

3. Harvey was known for his distinctive fashion sense, often seen wearing a cowboy hat and aviator sunglasses.

4. He co-founded the Black Rock City, LLC, the organization that oversees the Burning Man festival.

5. Harvey’s guiding principles for Burning Man include radical inclusion, gifting, and leaving no trace.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Larry Harvey

1. “Burning Man is about ‘why not’ overwhelming ‘why.’”

2. “Our goal is to create a society that connects each member to his or her creative powers.”

3. “Art is whatever you can get away with.”

4. “The more I give away, the richer I become.”

5. “In the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At his peak, Larry Harvey’s net worth was estimated to be around $10 million, primarily accrued from his involvement with the Burning Man festival and related ventures.