Huntington Gardens

Twenty five years in LA, and this is by far the most spectacular spring I've experienced.

Winter months of rain and cooler temps, which I loved, have created an explosion of 

green and blooms on every weed, stem and tree.

Every moment, I want to spend outdoors in the splendor.

Sunday Selfie

Circle of Land and Sky

Phillip K Smith's installation defines a reflective space within the desert, 

composed entirely of the environment's two  most prominent physical characteristics --

land and sky.

Formed by 300 geometric electors angled at 10 degrees,

the artwork directly engages with the surroundings and visitors interacting with the posts.

The installation constantly shifts with the light, land and sky are separated, merged and displaced

subverting one's assumed relationship with the desert horizon.

Curves and Zigzags

Claudia Compte's installation in the desert plays on the constant exchange of dualities -

nature and culture, order and chaos, geometric and organic form.

The wall suggests a walk through the shifting sands of abstraction

and on to a place where beauty and contemplation sit side by side.

The wind kicked up during our visit, pelting grains of sand into our exposed flesh

We unsuccessfully tried shielded ourselves in the contours of the wall

while watching the clouds float high above.

Joshua Tree

A cold snap and gray sky made for a wintery and brisk day trip to the park.

A steep hike up Ryan's Mountain provided 360 degrees views

of  several snow covered mountain ranges.

A scramble in Jumbo Rocks was like walking on another planet.

DESERT X

REASON ONE THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED TWELVE TO LOVE PALM SPRINGS:

FOR A FEW WEEKS THIS SPRING

THE COACHELLA VALLEY

BECAME THE CANVAS

FOR A CURATED EXHIBITION

OF SITE-SPECIFIC WORK BY ESTABLISHED AND EMERGING ARTISTS,

WHOSE PROJECTS AMPLIFY AND ARTICULATE GLOBAL AND LOCAL ISSUES.

LUCKILY, MY DATES TO VISIT COINCIDED WITH 

DESERT X.

AN ALREADY SPECTACULAR WEEKEND WAS ENHANCED BY THESE INTERACTIVE WORKS.

MIRAGE

Doug Aitken built a small ranch style suburban American house

cradled in the base of the mountains in Palm Springs.  

Composed of mirrored surfaces,

the surroundings are reflected and the structure is camouflaged.

The effect is at times disorienting,

for the mind can not process what it is seeing.

Aitken reconfigured the idea the suburban ranch home,

prolific in post WWII American suburbs,

by removing the inhabitants and their possessions.

Inside, the reflective surfaces create a kaleidoscopic effect intended to evoke confusion rather than comfort.

I loved it, in spite of the discomfort and would love to spend 24 hours watching the light and landscape shift in the house's reflection.