For several years now, Michael Garlington has watched his majestic photo sculptures go up in flames at the end of the weeklong Burning Man festival while tens of thousands of artists, hipsters and dreamers looked on in awe.

His latest work, stationed outside Toby’s Feed Barn, will not be set ablaze. And with proper love and care, it should withstand the elements for at least a couple years—an eon in Burning Man time.

This spring,…