Gon Kirin

Project Overview
Gon Kirin is a large-scale interactive art installation for the Burning Man Festival. The name “Gon Kirin” means “光麒麟” in Cantonese, blending Eastern and Western aesthetics with a futuristic and mystical design.

This 60-foot-long (18.3m), 11.5-foot-wide (3.5m), and 22.5-foot-tall (6.9m) dragon sculpture is built on the chassis of a 1987 Chevrolet Silverado. It features 2,460 feet of RGB LED light strips, LED wall-mounted units, an interactive lighting control system, and a fully digital flame-throwing system.

Inside, the sculpture has a two-level structure that accommodates over 20 people, including a DJ booth and a movable dragon tail. Since its debut in 2010, Gon Kirin has been showcased at various events across the United States, earning 16 Blue Ribbon at Maker Faire Awards and the Burning Man Award of Excellence.


Role & Contributions

Worked closely with lighting programmers, software developers, and system engineers to support technical execution and ensure seamless integration of lighting and control systems. Key contributions include:

Technical Support – Assisted engineers in troubleshooting and resolving technical challenges.

Installation of Lighting & Hardware – Assisted in mounting and wiring lighting fixtures, control units, and electronic components onto the sculpture to ensure a stable and secure setup.

Testing & Debugging – Conducted testing and debugging to ensure all subsystems functioned reliably and met performance expectations.


These efforts enhanced the interactivity and visual impact of Gon Kirin, delivering a stunning and immersive experience for audiences.