(Photo by Kevin McCormick, used without permission)

Tensor is one of my favorite art installations in Black Rock City. A ten foot wide, eight foot tall wall full of 64,800 LED lights choreographed into swirling patterns and colors, I could never ride by at night on the Esplanade without stopping to watch it for a while.

A friend instant messaged me yesterday morning to let me know the artist Kevin McCormick who created Tensor, had died.

The 29-year-old, who was openly gay, had died of a heart attack during sex. Two of the men who shared the warehouse space told police he had taken ecstasy - his drug of choice, according to several friends - a few hours earlier.

As I read the story, elements of his life reminded me of myself and in a way I even found my self a bit envious... or maybe a better term is admiring, that he pushed his limits and boundaries in a way I've never dared. It would be easier to simply think to myself at least I will live to see 30, but longevity is hardly a measure of ones life.

I once spent half an hour watching both Tensor and the way the light danced across the faces of everyone else gathered to watch it. If short, his life was well spent inspiring others.