Pictures from Desert X 2023: this year’s 12 artworks in the Coachella Valley

Directed by Neville Wakefield and co-curated by Diana Campbell, Desert X 2023 is committed to being an artistic device to increase our socio-environmental awareness.

“No.1225 Chainlink” by Rana Begum Image courtesy of DESERT X. Photography by Lance Gerber.

“The Smallest Sea with the Largest Heart” by Lauren Bon e Metabolic Studios. Image courtesy of DESERT X. Photography by Lance Gerber.

“Immersion” by Gerald Clarke Image courtesy of DESERT X. Photography by Lance Gerber.

“Amar a Dios en Tierra de Indios, Es Oficio Maternal” by Paloma Contreras Lomas Image courtesy of DESERT X. Photography by Lance Gerber.

“Liquid A Place” by Torkwase Dyson Image courtesy of DESERT X. Photography by Lance Gerber.

“Searching for the Sky (While Maintaining Equilibrium)” by Mario García Torres Image courtesy of DESERT X. Photography by Lance Gerber.

“Namak Nazar” by Hylozoic/Desires Image courtesy of DESERT X. Photography by Lance Gerber.

“Sleeping Figure” by Matt Johnson Image courtesy of DESERT X. Photography by Lance Gerber.

“Originals” by Tyre D. Nichols Image courtesy of DESERT X. Photography by Lance Gerber.

“Pioneer” by Tschabalala Self Image courtesy of DESERT X. Photography by Lance Gerber.

“Khudi Bari” by Marina Tabassum Image courtesy of DESERT X. Film screenshot.

“Chimera” by Héctor Zamora Image courtesy of DESERT X. Photography by Lance Gerber.

“Contrary to the archetype, a desert is not defined by the absence of water. The desert landscape is formed by the memory of water”. This sentence perfectly sums up the curatorial intention that inspired the fourth edition of Desert X – in the Coachella Valley, California, until May 7 – that deepens the theme of environmental and social sensitivity.

The site-specific works, made by internationally renowned artists, are scattered in various sites of desert territory and are placed as instruments of self-consciousness that show the  negative and positive forces that we exercise on the world as human beings and of which we should be aware.

Here is the list of the twelve works presented:

“No.1225 Chainlink” by Rana Begum;
“The Smallest Sea with the Largest Heart” by Lauren Bon and Metabolic Studios;
“Immersion” by Gerald Clarke;
“Amar a Dios en Tierra de Indios, Es Oficio Maternal” by Paloma Contreras Lomas;
“Liquid A Place” by Torkwase Dyson;
“Searching for the Sky (While Maintaining Equilibrium)” by Mario García Torres;
“Namak Nazar” by Hylozoic/Desires;
“Sleeping Figure” by Matt Johnson;
“Originals” by Tyre D. Nichols;
“Pioneer” by Tschabalala Self;
“Khudi Bari” by Marina Tabassum;
“Chimera” by Héctor Zamora.

Opening Image: “Immersion” di Gerald Clarke. Image courtesy of DESERT X. Photography by Lance Gerber.

“No.1225 Chainlink” by Rana Begum

Image courtesy of DESERT X. Photography by Lance Gerber.

“The Smallest Sea with the Largest Heart” by Lauren Bon e Metabolic Studios.

Image courtesy of DESERT X. Photography by Lance Gerber.

“Immersion” by Gerald Clarke

Image courtesy of DESERT X. Photography by Lance Gerber.

“Amar a Dios en Tierra de Indios, Es Oficio Maternal” by Paloma Contreras Lomas

Image courtesy of DESERT X. Photography by Lance Gerber.

“Liquid A Place” by Torkwase Dyson

Image courtesy of DESERT X. Photography by Lance Gerber.

“Searching for the Sky (While Maintaining Equilibrium)” by Mario García Torres

Image courtesy of DESERT X. Photography by Lance Gerber.

“Namak Nazar” by Hylozoic/Desires

Image courtesy of DESERT X. Photography by Lance Gerber.

“Sleeping Figure” by Matt Johnson

Image courtesy of DESERT X. Photography by Lance Gerber.

“Originals” by Tyre D. Nichols

Image courtesy of DESERT X. Photography by Lance Gerber.

“Pioneer” by Tschabalala Self

Image courtesy of DESERT X. Photography by Lance Gerber.

“Khudi Bari” by Marina Tabassum

Image courtesy of DESERT X. Film screenshot.

“Chimera” by Héctor Zamora

Image courtesy of DESERT X. Photography by Lance Gerber.