David Best's Londonderry art project branded 'Satanic' by church minister

Posted by Tobi Tarwater on Monday, July 29, 2024

This is the moment that a controversial art project which was branded 'Satanic' by a church minister went up in flames.

The intricately hand crafted wooden temple was the product of two years of hard work and planning by renowned American Artist David Best, who is best known for Nevada's annual Burning Man festival. 

The 70ft tower was made by Catholics and Protestants working together in the Northern Ireland city of Londonderry and filled with messages written in memory of loved ones who had died.

Ahead of the bonfire Presbyterian minister the Reverend Graeme Orr had said he feared the burning could leave people open to the influence of Satan.

Scroll down for video 

The moment that the structure went up in flames

This is the moment that thousands of people watched as a controversial art project went up in flames in Londonderry, Northern Ireland

Around 60,000 people had visited the intricately hand crafted wooden temple before it was set alight at dusk this evening 

Around 60,000 people had visited the intricately hand crafted wooden temple before it was set alight at dusk this evening 

The wooden temple was the product of two years of hard work and planning by renowned American Artist David Best

The wooden temple was the product of two years of hard work and planning by renowned American Artist David Best

The 70ft tower was made by Catholics and Protestants working together and filled with messages written in memory of loved ones who had died

The 70ft tower was made by Catholics and Protestants working together and filled with messages written in memory of loved ones who had died

RELATED ARTICLES

Share this article

Share

But the artist creator David Best said he believed it would help the bereaved end their pain. 'If this is paganism then I am Donald Duck,' he said. 

Around 60,000 people visited the structure, made of carved plywood and featuring a giant wooden chandelier hanging down from a central spire, before it was torched this evening. 

Members of the public who visited were encouraged to scrawl messages and leave mementos in tribute to lost loved ones. 

Personal notes remembered the victims of tragedy from suicides to a young policewoman killed in a crash to those killed during the 30-year conflict.

Among those who set light to the temple were people whose lives were blighted by the Troubles.

more videos

Among those who set light to the towering structure were those who had lost loved ones in the 30 year conflict 

Among those who set light to the towering structure were those who had lost loved ones in the 30 year conflict 

Bonfires have traditionally been a source of division in the city of Londonderry, also referred to as Derry

Bonfires have traditionally been a source of division in the city of Londonderry, also referred to as Derry

Two men watch the dying embers of the 70ft hand crafted temple by the renowned Burning Man artist David Best 

Two men watch the dying embers of the 70ft hand crafted temple by the renowned Burning Man artist David Best 

Bonfires have traditionally been a source of division in the city of Londonderry, also referred to as Derry. 

Huge towers made of wooden pallets are set alight every year to celebrate the victory of King William of Orange over Catholic King James in the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.

US artist Best decided to turn the tradition on its head - creating a work of art that Catholic and Protestants could work on together and burn in a symbol of peace.

Best has now produced eight temples for the Burning Man Festival, which takes place in the Nevada every August, and each one has had its own name, with 2014's creation named the Temple of Grace. 

American Artist David Best, who is best known for Nevada's annual Burning Man festival, pictured ahead of tonight's bonfire

American Artist David Best, who is best known for Nevada's annual Burning Man festival, pictured ahead of tonight's bonfire

more videos

The tower was made of carved plywood and featuring a giant wooden chandelier hanging down from a central spire

The tower was made of carved plywood and featuring a giant wooden chandelier hanging down from a central spire

Artist David Best gives his final instructions this evening before his hand crafted temple was set ablaze 

Artist David Best gives his final instructions this evening before his hand crafted temple was set ablaze 

Members of the public who visited were encouraged to scrawl messages and leave mementos in tribute to lost loved ones

Members of the public who visited were encouraged to scrawl messages and leave mementos in tribute to lost loved ones

Personal notes and pictures remembered the victims of tragedy from suicides to a young policewoman killed in a crash to those killed during the 30-year conflict.

Thousands of people had visited the tower over the past seven days before it was burned at dusk in Londonderry

Thousands of people had visited the tower over the past seven days before it was burned at dusk in Londonderry

 

 

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7pa3IpbCmmZmhe6S7ja6iaKaVrMBwrdGtoJyklWKAcXyUcmtyZ4Snrqi1wmaknqWfp7amv4ypnKemlZl6tbTOrqqappSoerGxzqmjnmWWoa6usdJmmqimpKe8t7HRrKCapF2Wv7V5z6umo52TqXqjvsCnm56cXYiuta3Noppmm5iqv6S0jKagp6GjqbKzesetpKU%3D

CATALOG
    FEATURED TAGS