All City Canvas

The second edition of the Desert X Biennial presents interesting proposals

We are excited because the Desert X Biennial is ready for its second edition. The event will bring together the work of 18 international artists who were selected by artistic director Neville Wakefield and co-curators Amanda Hunt and Matthew Schum.

The exhibition will be held at the eastern end of the Coachella Valley. It seeks to get the spectators to focus on the valley’s landscape by exhibiting works from emerging artists. The exhibited artworks address topics related to climate change, immigration, tourism, as well as Native American culture, among others.

This year’s pieces will be distributed over 55 miles, that is, in eight of the nine cities in the Coachella Valley. Some of the artists that make up the Desert X Biennial are Iván Argote, Nancy Baker Cahill, Cecilia Bengolea, Pia Camil, John Gerrard, Julian Hoeber, Jenny Holzer, among others.

Lastly, this year, the piece Shybot by Norma Jeane will be included; an anti-human robot that was lost in the desert in the previous edition. Consequently, a reward of $ 1,000 was awarded for its return. A local maintenance worker found him it last July.

This year’s exhibition raises a question: can nature withstand development? Ironically, the question comes up as the show generates large scale cultural tourism that fuels the economy of the valley.

Ultimately, the most anticipated pieces are Specter by Sterling Ruby, Western Flag by John Gerrard; Lover by Pia Camil; Terminal Lake Exploration Platform by Steve Badgett and Chris Taylor, among others.

Lastly, Desert X will take place from February 9 to April 21.