Desert X 2019: Land Art Biennial in Coachella Valley

The second edition of Desert X, a biennial land art exhibition, is underway in California's Coachella Valley, spanning roughly 90 kilometers with site-specific works by 18 artists. The show runs until April 21, coinciding with the Coachella music festival. Works include John Gerrard's 'Western Flag,' a digital simulation of a depleted Texas oil field; Sterling Ruby's reflective orange parallelepiped 'SPECTER'; Kathleen Ryan's wind-activated 'Ghost Palm'; Iván Argote's 'A point of view,' a staircase installation referencing pre-Columbian iconography; Cecilia Bengolea's hybrid creatures at the Salton Sea; and Eric N. Mack's 'Halter,' a gas station draped in Missoni fabrics that was set on fire by unknown individuals on March 10. The exhibition is organized by the Desert X foundation and curated by artistic director Neville Wakefield. Visitors are encouraged to explore the desert landscape, with works located using GPS coordinates. The Salton Sea, a man-made lake created by a Colorado River flood, features prominently in several installations, highlighting environmental concerns.