🪸
Coral
$500+
- Behind-the-scenes build updates from the crew — steel frame to ocean floor
- A ticket to the Cephalopod Auction
Dive in
Born in the desert. Destined to become a coral reef. A 20-foot immersive art installation — building habitat long after the playa.
A Big Art Project — Burning Man 2026
Two ways in: lend your hands to the build, or help fund her journey from playa to ocean floor. Choose your path.
Answer below and it goes straight to the Octopolis crew — no extra forms, no redirects.
Every contribution — any size — moves Octopolis closer. Quick and secure through GoFundMe.
Donate via GoFundMe →Giving $500 or more? Share a few details below and we'll follow up personally to arrange it — including patron perks and a tax-deductible receipt via our fiscal sponsor, Creative Reuse Marketplace.
Larger gifts come with patron perks — see all patron tiers ↓
Patron Tiers
Octopolis is built by people who believe art can become habitat. Choose a level of patronage — each one carries her further, from the build floor to the playa to her life as a reef. Every tier holds everything below it.
$500+
$1,000+
$5,000+
$10,000+
$20,000+
To claim patron tier perks, send us a message and we'll coordinate your donation personally. For a tax-deductible donation of $500+ via our fiscal sponsor, Creative Reuse Marketplace, please fill out this form.
Bid to win a piece of original art — or a piece of Octopolis herself. Auctions run throughout 2026.
Something small and mysterious waiting for each patron on the playa. You'll receive yours when the time comes — and you'll know what to do with it.
The Journey
From salvaged metal and donated fabric to a living reef — Octopolis travels an extraordinary path from the desert to the ocean floor.
Scroll the timeline →
What is Octopolis
Octopolis is a 20-foot illuminated octopus with interactive arms stretching 30–36 feet — a large-scale metal sculpture with integrated lighting, sensors, and multi-sensory elements inside and outside the form.
Her head is a communal gathering space: ocean sounds, bubble effects, cooling misters, and an overhead view of her three glowing hearts. Her eyes are built from locally sourced driftwood.
From sketch to the playa
From the first sketches to the latest dust-and-lights progress — the whole build, out in the open.
Where the Money Goes
Structure & materials, interactive tech, artist fees, transport, on-playa camp for 45 people, post-burn touring, and ocean deployment as a coral restoration site.
Help close the gap →Events
Join the Crew
Octopolis is built by dreamers, makers, welders, painters, engineers, musicians, and everyone in between. Whether you can swing a hammer or spin a story, there’s a place for you.
We need hands for the build, minds for the plan, and hearts for the mission. Located across the US and beyond, our crew works both on-site and remotely.
Ready to jump in? Tell us your skills and ideas in the form at the top of the page — it takes about a minute and goes straight to the crew.
Tell us how you'd like to help →Ravens Heart Designs
Where mystery meets magic. Handcrafted with love — from the darkness of the Raven’s wing to the warmth of the Heart. A portion of proceeds supports the Octopolis build.
Follow the Build
Sketches, sparks, tentacles taking shape. Follow along as Octopolis comes to life.
@octopolisproject on Instagram →The Visionary
LaynaJoy is a multifaceted artist and visionary whose work transforms spaces into immersive worlds. She’s the creator of Ravens Landing — an off-grid sustainable sanctuary where art, nature, and community converge — and the driving force behind Octopolis.
She builds large, she builds with intention, and she builds to last.
The Octopolis Newsletter
From the desert to the ocean floor — build updates, events, and the story as it unfolds. No noise, just the dive.
