X Factor

A couple of weeks ago, I took a long weekend in Palm Springs. One of the perks of the trip was that it coincided with the biennial Desert X art exhibition, which features a range of outdoor, site-specific installations spread throughout the Coachella Valley and surrounding areas.

After checking out of my hotel, I spent my Monday touring the pieces in and around Palm Springs, heading north as a scenic route back to LA. For many of the installations, I was lucky enough to have the site to myself for at least a stretch of time between other visitors. That was especially powerful at Kimsooja’s To Breathe, a spiral of clear diffused plexiglass on a ridge overlooking the valley. Walking through it alone made it especially easy to lose yourself in the elements - helped even more by the dramatic sky at the time.

At a couple of spots, I arrived at the same time as a pair of women who seemed to be doing an extended ‘influencer’ photo shoot. I suppose I should be glad they were engaging with the art in their own way - but I mostly just waited them out, for the sake of photos (not to mention my sanity).

Other works I got to see included Ronald Rael’s Adobe Oasis, Sanford Biggers’ Unsui, Alison Saar’s Soul Service Station, and Jose Dávila’s The Act of Being Together. Although the exhibition has officially ended, several of the pieces are still on view. If you find yourself heading to the desert, it’s definitely worth making a few detours. You can find more info at DesertX.org