Massive 560-Kilogram Twitter Bird Burned in Nevada Desert

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The Final Act: Twitter’s Iconic Bird Burns at Burning Man

In a symbolic and fiery farewell, the giant bird logo of Elon Musk’s X platform — formerly known as Twitter — was engulfed in flames during a special event at the renowned Burning Man festival in Nevada. Weighing approximately 560 kilograms, this monumental sculpture marked the end of an era that spanned nearly 17 years. If preserved in a museum, it would stand as a testament to a revolutionary symbol that reshaped global digital culture, inspiring future generations with its iconic presence.

At Burning Man, a festival famous for its transformative and destructive art installations, the logo’s destruction was a deliberate act of artistic expression. The event’s ethos encourages the cessation and rebirth of ideas through fire, and in this spirit, the Twitter bird was sacrificed to symbolize a new chapter for the platform. The sculpture itself was an engineering marvel: a dynamic, moving structure balanced on an 18-meter-long arm, equipped with vibrant LED lighting and remotely controllable features. This colossal emblem was removed from Twitter’s headquarters last year following the platform’s rebranding to X, after which Elon Musk generously gifted it to the Burning Man organizers.

However, setting such a massive sculpture ablaze was far from simple. Local Nevada regulations and Burning Man’s strict environmental and safety standards posed significant challenges. Concerns about toxic fumes from paints and other materials used in constructing the sculpture prompted authorities to implement strict safety measures. The burning was only approved after obtaining the necessary permits and ensuring all safety protocols were met. Ultimately, the sculpture was set ablaze in front of thousands of festival attendees, serving as a powerful performance piece that symbolized X’s new identity and direction.

The Symbolism Behind the Bird

The Twitter bird was more than just a logo; it was a symbol of freedom and open communication. Its depiction as a bird embodied the ideals of free expression and the limitless nature of sharing ideas, much like a bird freely soaring through the skies. The term “tweet” became synonymous with quick, spontaneous communication, reinforcing the platform’s association with open dialogue.

However, this ideal was tragically undermined by actions taken by Twitter’s leadership. The company frequently silenced voices it deemed undesirable, including shutting down the accounts of users and even political figures based on their affiliations or opinions. One notable incident involved Twitter’s decision to suspend the account of a prominent U.S. presidential candidate from the Republican Party, citing support for Democratic policies — a move widely criticized as undermining genuine free speech and demonstrating that the platform’s commitment to freedom was, in reality, superficial and selective.