The Desert X art biennial began its fifth edition in the Greater Palm Springs area on March 8, showcasing large-scale installations by international artists across 40 miles of the Southern California desert.
Kaitlin Garcia-Maestas, co-curator of Desert X, said the event “not only commissions some of the most significant outdoor artworks being created today but also pushes the boundaries of art, nature, and community.”
Launched in 2017, Desert X has become a recurring event in Coachella Valley. This year’s exhibition features works from artists based in Mexico, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, and the United States. The installations are located at sites throughout Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Desert Hot Springs, and nearby desert areas.
Neville Wakefield, artistic director for Desert X, stated: “As much as the desert is a state of place, it is also a state of mind. Its borders are not singular but multiple, and it is defined as much by social geography as physical boundary.”
Nine installations opened to visitors on March 8; two more were added on March 15. The exhibition runs daily from sunrise to sunset with free admission. Some installations require walking distances up to 0.8 miles from parking areas. Organizers advise visitors to bring water and sun protection. Assistance for people with disabilities can be arranged via email.
A map with installation locations is available on the official Desert X website or through their mobile app. Printed guides and maps can be picked up at the Desert X Hub inside Thompson Palm Springs hotel during specific hours.
Among this year’s works are:
– “The Act of Being Together” by Jose Dávila features marble blocks transported from Mexico and displayed near a windmill farm in Desert Hot Springs.
– Alison Saar’s “SoulService Station” repurposes vintage materials into an interactive installation that includes an audio poem.
– Cannupa Hanska Luger presents “G.H.O.S.T. Ride,” a mirrored VW van representing Indigenous adaptation using technology.
– Sanford Biggers’ “Unsui (Mirror)” uses sequin-covered clouds inspired by Buddhist philosophy.
– Ronald Rael’s “Adobe Oasis” explores sustainable construction with mud-based structures created using 3D printing.
– Agnes Denes constructed “The Living Pyramid,” planted with native flora at Sunnylands Center and Gardens.
– Raphael Hefti’s “Five things you can’t wear on TV” stretches polymer fabric across Cap Homme/Ralph Adams Park to create an artificial horizon line.
– Sarah Meyohas’ “Truth Arrives in Slanted Beams” invites viewers to manipulate light reflections within her installation.
– Muhannad Shono’s “What Remains” uses fabric strips set in sand to evoke changeable landscapes shaped by natural forces.
Further details about locations and visiting hours are provided through official resources online or at designated visitor hubs.
