desert x 2021.
RESPECT THE DESERT.
well - it’s been awhile. awhile since i’ve posted. awhile since we’ve traveled. awhile since the world came to a standstill. we have stayed pretty isolated at home - zero traveling or eating out, but with vaccines finally making it out into the world and cases/hospitalizations/deaths on the decline, we decided to do a small weekend getaway to palm springs for our anniversary this year. the weather was lovely and we spent one day driving around the desert to explore some of the artworks in this year’s Desert X.
Never Forget, Nicholas Galanin
first up was Nicholas Galanin’s Never Forget. it’s huge and hard to miss - we actually saw it just driving into and out of palm springs, as it’s located right by the visitor’s center. once parked, you can actually walk pretty close to it, but to me the best view of it was when driving past it.
Never Forget, Nicholas Galanin
our second stop was Serge Attukwei Clottey’s The Wishing Well, made from plastic used to transport water. it’s located in a park at the edge of where the green grass blends into the desert landscape.
The Wishing Well, Serge Attukwei Clottey
The Wishing Well, Serge Attukwei Clottey
The Wishing Well, Serge Attukwei Clottey
The Wishing Well, Serge Attukwei Clottey
Zahrah Alghamdi’s What Lies Behind the Walls took us north into the town of desert hot springs. this one was a bit of a trek from the parking location. i really loved how this piece changed as you approached it and walked around it.
What Lies Behind the Walls, Zahrah Alghamdi
What Lies Behind the Walls, Zahrah Alghamdi
What Lies Behind the Walls, Zahrah Alghamdi
What Lies Behind the Walls, Zahrah Alghamdi
the next site was up on a hill, on an undeveloped plot of land. the driveway is paved but was really steep and quite long so it was not easy to trek up to. once at the top, we were rewarded with views of a large metal and stone structure: Alicja Kwade’s ParaPivot.
Walking up to ParaPivot (sempiternal clouds), Alicja Kwade.
ParaPivot (sempiternal clouds), Alicja Kwade.
ParaPivot (sempiternal clouds), Alicja Kwade.
ParaPivot (sempiternal clouds), Alicja Kwade.
Ghada Amer’s Women’s Qualities is located at the sunnylands center & gardens, which are absolutely stunning and worth a visit regardless of desert x. the steel planters formed words like resilient, determined, and nurturing and each filled by a single but different desert plant.
Women’s Qualities, Ghada Amer; Sunnylands Center & Gardens.
Women’s Qualities, Ghada Amer; Sunnylands Center & Gardens.
Women’s Qualities, Ghada Amer; Sunnylands Center & Gardens.
Women’s Qualities, Ghada Amer; Sunnylands Center & Gardens.
Women’s Qualities, Ghada Amer; Sunnylands Center & Gardens.
sunnylands center & gardens.
i was very surprised by Eduardo Sarabia’s The Passenger. the “arrow tip-shaped maze” is simple but immersive, and when you get to the center, there are platforms that allow you to see the structure from above. the woven material that made up the walls made the most calming creaking noise when the wind blew, which was the part i wasn’t expecting and really transported me to another place.
The Passenger, Eduardo Sarabia.
The Passenger, Eduardo Sarabia.
The Passenger, Eduardo Sarabia.
The Passenger, Eduardo Sarabia.
The Passenger, Eduardo Sarabia.
The Passenger, Eduardo Sarabia.
our last stop of the day was Kim Stringfellow’s Jackrabbit Homestead. the small structure was adorably decorated with windows on all sides to view into while a story being played over the speakers.
Jackrabbit Homestead, Kim Stringfellow.
Jackrabbit Homestead, Kim Stringfellow.
Jackrabbit Homestead, Kim Stringfellow.
Jackrabbit Homestead, Kim Stringfellow.
we had a really lovely time driving to and checking out the art of desert x. there are additional sites that we didn’t see or chronicle, and it runs through mid-may. if you get a chance, i would highly recommend checking it out. wear a mask!
