Desert X is produced by The Desert Biennial, a charitable organization founded in California, conceived to produce recurring international contemporary art exhibitions that activate desert locations through site-specific installations by acclaimed international artists. Its guiding purposes and principles include presenting public exhibitions of art that respond meaningfully to the conditions of desert locations, the environment and indigenous communities; promoting cultural exchange and education programs that foster dialogue and understanding among cultures and communities about shared artistic, historical, and societal issues; and providing an accessible platform for artists from around the world to address ecological, cultural, spiritual, and other existential themes.
This year the exhibits will run from March 4th to May 7th. They are all open and free to the public. They are open from sun up to sun down. There is usually always a volunteer on site to assist you with any questions you might have. I was only able to see 3 of the 12 this year. They are so spread out all over the Coachella/Indio Valley it can be hard to get to them all in a short period of time. I highly suggest downloading the app. It is interactive and you can see where all the exhibits are on the app. It will take you right to each of them without having to pull up your own maps. It is super helpful.
This one is called Sleeping Figure(I-10 Exit 110 Haugen-Lehmann Way to Railroad Ave). At first I didn’t totally get it to be honest and then I was looking at my photos when I got home and realized that these shipping containers look exactly like a sleeping figure. I clearly wasn’t taking the piece in while I was there. But I got it eventually. This exhibit does require a good pair of shoes. It’s about a half of a mile walk in the sand to this one, but definitely worth it.
This is my second time attending Desert X and this same location also had a maze 2 years ago. This one was really fun to check out and I saw kids loving the maze and trying to figure it out. Some even stopped and just enjoyed the sand beneath their feet. This is called the No. 14225 Chainlink(74184 Portola Road, Palm Desert). The docent told me it is absolutely stunning to photography at sunset. So be sure not to miss this one.
The Liquid A Place(Homme Adams Park, 72500 Thrush Road, Palm Desert) was a very cool spot and the kids are sure to enjoy this one. I didn’t realize it until we got closer that there are stairs on each side that take you up to the top of the structure and then down the other side. I think these sculptures become so much more when you can interact with them. Not to mention it also gives you a lovely view of the desert. There are many more to see throughout the Coachella/Indio valley. Be sure to get an see as many as you can before the show ends on May 7th.
Desert X is produced by The Desert Biennial, a charitable organization founded in California, conceived to produce recurring international contemporary art exhibitions that activate desert locations through site-specific installations by acclaimed international artists. Its guiding purposes and principles include presenting public exhibitions of art that respond meaningfully to the conditions of desert locations, the environment and indigenous communities; promoting cultural exchange and education programs that foster dialogue and understanding among cultures and communities about shared artistic, historical, and societal issues; and providing an accessible platform for artists from around the world to address ecological, cultural, spiritual, and other existential themes.
