Desert X

Desert X is a site-specific, contemporary art exhibition that is held in the Coachella Valley in Southern California. The inaugural Desert X was held from February 25 to April 30, 2017; Desert X 2019, February 9 to April 21.

Desert X
"Mirage" by Doug Aitken on display at Desert X
GenreContemporary art
Site-specific art
DatesInaugural exhibition: February 25 – April 30, 2017; Desert X 2019, February 9 to April 21
Location(s)Coachella Valley, California US[1]
Years active2019, 2017
2009 (planned)
Founded bySusan Davis
Attendance400,000
WebsiteOfficial website

Background

Desert X is the exhibition of Desert Biennial, a 501(c) charitable organization founded in 2015. The exhibition is meant to bring attention to the valley's environment through the display of works by emerging artists. Themes include climate change, immigration, tourism, gambling, and Native American culture.[2][3][4]

2017

The participating artists included Doug Aitken, Lita Albuquerque, Jeffrey Gibson, Sherin Guirguis, Glann Kaino, Richard Prince, Rob Pruitt, Julião Sarmento, Phillip K. Smith III, and Tavares Strachan.

Works included a camouflaged house covered in mirrors, an autonomous vehicle known as the "ShyBot" that is programmed to avoid people, as well as an underground bunker with a kitsch sculpture of John F. Kennedy.[5] In February 2017 the robot’s creator, an Italian artist known as "Norma Jeane", lost contact with ShyBot. All communication was lost, and some thought the art robot was "bot-napped".[6] In July 2018, an off-roader found ShyBot and through a QR code on the body was able to contact Desert X and facilitate her return.[7]

2019

The participating artists included Iván Argote, Nancy Baker Cahill, Cecilia Bengolea, Pia Camil, John Gerrard, Julian Hoeber, Jenny Holzer, Iman Issa, Mary Kelly, Armando Lerma, Eric N. Mack, Cinthia Marcelle, Postcommodity, Cara Romero, Sterling Ruby, Kathleen Ryan, Gary Simmons, Superflex, Chris Taylor & Steve Badgett.[8][9] Neville Wakefield acted as artistic director.[10]

Select artists
  • Mirage by Doug Aitken consists of a house fully covered on the inside and out with mirrors
  • Philip K. Smith III's Circle of Land and Sky consists of 300 reflectors, made of polished stainless steel, that are placed in a large circle at 10 degree angles.
  • Hollow Earth by Glenn Kaino is an illuminated, glass-covered hole that creates the illusion of a tunnel descending deep into the Earth
  • Curves and Zigzags by Claudia Comte
  • A spectator having fun at Curves and Zigzags by Claudia Comte

See also

References
  1. Google (23 April 2017). "Desert X" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
  2. Anna Rumer (2017-02-25). "Massive Desert X art exhibit debuts in Palm Springs area". Desertsun.com. Retrieved 2017-04-23.
  3. Christopher Knight (2017-03-09). "International art invades the suburban Coachella Valley: The best of 'Desert X'". latimes.com. Retrieved 2017-04-23.
  4. "How Desert X concept of making art accessible became a reality". desertsun.com. Retrieved 2017-04-23.
  5. Jori Finkel (2017-02-24). "'Desert X' Treats Arid Space as a Rich Canvas". newyorktimes.com. Retrieved 2017-04-23.
  6. Jori Finkel (2017-03-17). "Things Go Awry at 'Desert X,' as Shy Bot Disappears". newyorktimes.com. Retrieved 2018-08-01.
  7. Jori Finkel (2018-07-25). "After a year-long journey in the California desert, Desert X's art rover Shybot is found". The Art Newspaper. Retrieved 2018-08-01.
  8. Damien, Christopher; Wyloge, Evan; Scharkey, Kristin (March 13, 2019). "Desert X installation 'Halter' disappears; sheriff investigating as vandalism". Palm Springs Desert Sun. Retrieved 2019-03-13.
  9. Harris, Gareth (March 14, 2019). "Desert X – where the dry land blooms with art". Financial Times. Retrieved 2019-03-15.
  10. https://www.desertx.org/about-us
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