The acclaimed art exhibition Desert X has returned for its fifth edition, opening on March 8, 2025, across the stunning landscapes of Southern California's Coachella Valley. Curated by Neville Wakefield and Kaitlin Garcia-Maestas, the exhibition showcases 11 international artists who use the desert as both backdrop and canvas, highlighting themes of art, land, and deep time.
Featuring creatives from Asia, Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East, this edition of Desert X is free and open to visitors until May 11, 2025. Garcia-Maestas remarked, "Curated by the place it temporarily inhabits, Desert X reveals the [landscape] as a canvas of real and imagined histories, narraging tales of displacement, sovereignty, and adaptation superimposed over visible testaments of time." This statement sets the tone for the exhibition, inviting the audience to reflect deeply on the complex narratives interwoven with the natural world.
Wakefield expanded on this idea, stating, “The land of Desert X is no longer the mythical and endless expanses of the American West but has come to include the effects of our ever-growing human presence.” He explained how artists draw inspiration from the concept of unadulterated nature. Yet, he adds, artists must also contend with the reality of the contemporary world, which has become increasingly complex and contested.
Among the prominent installations this year, visitors can expect to see Sanford Biggers’ towering set of sequin sculptures and Agnes Denes’ blooming, pyramidal intervention. Sarah Meyohas presents her large-scale, light-bending ribbon, which invites viewers to interact with the environment differently. These works embody themes of Indigenous futurism, design activism, and the influence of modern technology.
Art has always sought to challenge and inspire, and Desert X is no different. By engaging with ancestral knowledge and contemporary visions, the exhibition celebrates the agency of nature through both material and elemental forms. The artists’ interpretations prompt onlookers to rethink their relationship with the earth.
This compelling exhibition runs alongside various activities and workshops aimed at enhancing the visitor experience. Aspiring art enthusiasts and casual visitors alike are encouraged to explore the installations and participate actively. The Desert X Hub, located at Thompson Palm Springs, serves as the central information point where visitors can pick up guides and maps, as well as learn about the various artist installations.
Open from sunrise to sunset, visitors can immerse themselves fully throughout the various installation locations. But they are encouraged to stay informed about specific openings and installations, such as Kimsooja’s To Breathe – Coachella Valley and Kapwani Kiwanga’s Plotting Rest. These two installations are set to be unveiled on March 15, remaining on show until June 1, 2025.
The docents operating at most sites every Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon add another layer to the visitor experience, guiding them through the concept and intent behind each piece of art. These guided tours aim to shed light on the thought-provoking themes present within the exhibition.
Organizers urge attendees to be mindful of their environmental footprint, encouraging compliance with Leave No Trace principles to protect the natural surroundings. This initiative underlines the exhibition's commitment to sustainability and ecological responsibility within the prospect of art creation.
Desert X continues to offer not only artistic inspiration but also serves as a platform for discussions about sustainability and stewardship of the environment. It seeks to engage local communities and visitors alike, encouraging them to reflect deeply on the themes and messages conveyed through the artworks on display.
The official Desert X website provides comprehensive details for visitors planning to attend, including maps of artist installations and visitor resources. For those wanting to explore art set against the mesmerizing backdrop of the Coachella Valley, Desert X is not to be missed. The experience is unique and promises to evoke thoughtful discussions about humanity's place within the natural world.
With its 2025 iteration, Desert X art exhibition showcases how contemporary art can grapple with the realities of today and promote interaction between humanity and the rich narrative of the land.