Desert X in Coachella

Desert X, an international, contemporary art exhibition, will focus attention on and create conversation about environmental, social, and cultural conditions of the 21st century as reflected in the greater Palm Springs area. The Coachella Valley stretches east and south from Palm Springs to the Salton Sea. It is a desert environment, surrounded by some of the highest peaks in the United States. Long a sacred site and home to the Native American tribe of Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, it has become known for tourism, camping, hiking and golf, its rich modern architectural history, as well as for entertainers and politicians who have enjoyed this vibrant area.

During three months in 2017, the Coachella Valley and its desert landscape will become the canvas for a curated exhibition of site-specific work by established and emerging artists, whose projects will amplify and articulate global and local issues that may range from climate change to starry skies, from Tribal culture and immigration to tourism, gaming, and golf. The art works, in various indoor and outdoor locations, will be available free and will offer visitors a way to see the Valley and reflect on serious and playful issues through the lens of the participating artists’ creativity and work.

Desert X is produced by Desert Biennial, a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization founded in 2015 to bring the finest international artists to the Coachella Valley to create art, engage viewers, and focus attention on the Valley’s environment — its natural wonders as well as socio-political-economic issues that make it vibrant, curious, and exciting.

According to the New York Times, the artist Ed Ruscha is on the board of the non-profit group working behind the exhibitiom.