In the Spring of 2017, the Coachella Valley was all abuzz about an innovative art exhibition that was spread across the valley and featured up-and-coming and popular artists from around the world. Desert X was promoted as an exhibition that would “create art, engage viewers and focus attention on the valley’s environment.” But, to our family, it was more like a desert scavenger hunt of education and appreciation.
The exhibits were listed on the Desert X website (www.desertx.org) and only map coordinates were given to locate them. Over several weeks, my boys and I searched to find as many of the installations as we could. Each installation had an identifying sign with the artist’s name and the title of the piece as well as a short description so we knew we had reached our destination. We saw a house completely constructed of mirrors, visited a blue sculpture of a lady in the middle of the gorgeous grounds at Sunnylands, explored an underground tunnel, pondered an installation with thousands of cigarette butts and found billboards that seemed to melt into our skyline. We had to do things like hike at Whitewater Preserve, trek through sand, drive up to a window in a strip mall and go to the middle of an empty desert. We ended up seeing ten out of the sixteen works of art all over the Coachella Valley. It was such an amazing experience to locate and learn about them with my kids and explain to them how each piece represented society. I loved to see them full of excitement and wonder and we were sad when it ended.
But, guess what?! Beginning February 9, 2019 and going through April 21, Desert X 2019 will be back to entice your sense of exploration and whimsy. At the time of printing, there were no additional details on the website, but our family had already started talking about what sorts of art installations would be included. Will there will be any repeats of pieces or artists? Where will we find them? I highly suggest that you do your best to make Desert X 2019 part of your family’s plans. It is an experience you will all remember and an opportunity for you to show your kids this diverse valley and teach them about art in a fun way.
