Desert X 2019 East Valley Guide: Locations, Coordinates & Essential Viewing Tips
The second edition of Desert X, the acclaimed international contemporary art exhibition in Greater Palm Springs, ran from February 9 to April 21, 2019. Curated by Artistic Director Neville Wakefield and co-curators Amanda Hunt and Matthew Schum, this free public event featured site-specific installations and performances across the Coachella Valley by artists including Iván Argote, Steve Badger & Chris Taylor, Nancy Baker Cahill, Cecilia Bengolea, Pia Camil, John Gerrard, Julian Hoeber, Jenny Holzer, Iman Issa, Mary Kelly, Armando Lerma, Eric N. Mack, Cinthia Marcelle, Postcommodity, Cara Romero, Sterling Ruby, Kathleen Ryan, Gary Simmons, and Superflex.
Installations stretched from the Salton Sea in the east to sites in Mecca, Coachella, Indio, Indian Wells, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, Palm Springs, and Whitewater. This guide focuses on the east valley locations (view the west valley guide here).
Pia Camil, Lover’s Rainbow, 2019
A: Across from The Atrium at Rancho Mirage, 69930 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage // Coordinates: 33.767371, -116.448537
B: Rancho San Marcos Toros Pintos S/N Km 88 +300, Francisco Zarco, 22750 Ensenada, B.C., MEXICO // Coordinates: 32.03956, -116.6539
Pia Camil, Lover’s Rainbow
Iman Issa, Surrogates, a film about things to be used, in order of appearance, by self or others, for touching upon larger, insidious or different things, 2019
Sunnylands Center & Gardens, 37977 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage
Coordinates: 33.780354, -116.409640
Hours: Wednesday–Sunday, 8:30am-4pm
Postcommodity, It Exists in Many Forms, 2019
73697-73745 Santa Rosa Way, Palm Desert
Coordinates: 33.727656, -116.378993
Hours: Open weekends; free limited tickets at desertx.org
Superflex, Dive-in, 2019
Cap Homme and Ralph Adams Park, 72500 Thrush Road, Palm Desert
Coordinates: 33.706510, -116.399303
Visit desertx.org for program details
Cinthia Marcelle, Wormhole, 2019
C: 74-913 Highway 111, Suite 913, Indian Wells // Coordinates: 33.720399, -116.358470
D: 45-088 Oasis Street, Indio // Coordinates: 33.720797, -116.220658
E: 1667 Sixth Street, Coachella // Coordinates: 33.679969, -116.174693
Gary Simmons, Recapturing Memories of the Black Ark, 2014–2019
43143 Jackson Street, Indio
Coordinates: 33.734986, -116.217000
Hours: Open weekends; visit desertx.org for details
Armando Lerma, Visit Us in the Shape of Clouds, 2019
Landfill Road to Polk Street, Coachella
Coordinates: 33.714416, -116.147828
Iván Argote, A Point of View, 2019
70th Avenue & Sea View Way, Mecca
Coordinates: 33.53947, -115.92978
Cecilia Bengolea, Mosquito Net, 2019
Visit desertx.org for program details
Nancy Baker Cahill, Margin of Error, 2019
North Shore Yacht Club, Salton Sea
Coordinates: 33.519434, -115.937109
Instructions: Walk toward the beach (left of the pond), open the 4th Wall app, tap Desert X. View the animated drawing over the sea.
Steve Badger & Chris Taylor, Terminal Lake Exploration Platform, 2019
Salton Sea State Park Recreation Area, 100225 State Park Road, Salton Sea
Coordinates: 33.503733, -115.914664
Hours: Daily, 10am–4pm; follow updates at desertx.org
Tips for Your Desert X East Valley Tour
Pick up the official Desert X guidebook at hubs: Ace Hotel & Swim Club (701 E Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, room 119); 73660 El Paseo, Palm Desert; 82713 Miles Ave, Indio.
Download the free Desert X app (by high school student Hunter Martin) for navigation.
For Nancy Baker Cahill's works, download the 4th Wall app via WiFi due to size.
Guided bus tours available Saturdays/Sundays; check desertx.org.
Note hours and access details; use coordinates for navigation (search in Google Maps).
Follow black-and-white 'x' signs to installations.
Top Instagram-Worthy East Valley Spots
1. Eric N. Mack's Halter: Flowing Missoni fabrics in the wind.
2. Iván Argote's A Point of View: Stairs to epic Salton Sea views.
3. Pia Camil's Lover’s Rainbow: Close-ups of colorful rebar.
Refreshment Stops
Recharge at: Koffi (Highway 111, Rancho Mirage); IW Coffee (Indian Wells); Oasis Date Farm (Thermal); International Banana Museum (Mecca).
Explore the west valley guide next. Happy art exploring!
