A short, scenic drive from Joshua Tree, Desert X offers a great artistic adventure, inviting visitors to explore contemporary art installations embedded throughout the Coachella Valley. Running from March 8 to May 11, 2025, this unique event transforms the desert into a vast canvas, blending creativity, nature and cultural reflection.

What is Desert X?

Desert X, established in 2017, is a biennial contemporary art exhibition featuring site-specific installations by international artists. The artworks are thoughtfully placed within the landscape, engaging themes such as climate change, cultural heritage, community identity, and our relationship with nature. The 2025 edition, curated by Artistic Director Neville Wakefield and Co-curator Kaitlin Garcia-Maestas, continues this tradition, offering powerful visual and conceptual experiences.

Must-See Installations

"The Act of Living Together" by Torkwase Dyson (Sunnylands Center & Gardens, Rancho Mirage)

Location: Worsley Road between Pierson Boulevard and Painted Hills Road, Desert Hot Springs

Paloma Contreras Lomas' installation, The Act of Being Together, is a sculptural gathering place designed to explore the power and complexity of human relationships. Constructed as an inviting space, the work encourages visitors to sit, connect, and reflect on themes of community, love, loss, and identity. By creating a physical environment conducive to conversation and contemplation, Contreras Lomas emphasizes the importance of togetherness and shared experiences in fostering understanding and empathy among individuals.

These installations exemplify Desert X 2025's commitment to presenting thought-provoking, site-specific artworks that engage deeply with the cultural, historical, and environmental contexts of the Coachella Valley.

"Unsui (Mirror)" by Sanford Biggers (Palm Springs)

Location: James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center, Palm Springs

Sanford Biggers' installation, Unsui (Mirror), features two towering sequin-covered sculptures depicting cloud forms. Standing over 30 feet tall, these shimmering clouds are set against the expansive desert sky, symbolizing freedom, boundlessness, and interconnection. The term "unsui" translates to "clouds and water" in Japanese, reflecting Biggers' study of Buddhism and embodying the concept of unencumbered movement. The sculptures' reflective surfaces interact dynamically with sunlight and wind, creating an ever-changing visual experience that evokes feelings of timelessness and transcendence. Their placement at the James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center—a historic Black community established in the 1960s after the displacement of residents from Section 14—adds layers of cultural and historical significance, conveying messages of hope and resilience.

"G.H.O.S.T Ride" by Christopher Myers

Location: Mobile installation traversing various sites in Coachella Valley

Cannupa Hanska Luger's G.H.O.S.T. Ride is a nomadic, futuristic vehicle that reimagines his earlier work, the Repurposed Archaic Technology vehicle (RAT Rod). This mobile installation traverses the Coachella Valley, serving as a moving testament to Indigenous innovation and sustainable living practices. The vehicle is adorned with elements inspired by Indigenous technologies, blending traditional knowledge with speculative futures. Luger describes the inhabitants of this vehicle as descendants of Indigenous communities who have developed and sustained a harmonious relationship with the land. Through G.H.O.S.T. Ride, Luger invites viewers to reconsider their relationship with the environment and envision alternative, sustainable futures that honor Indigenous wisdom and practices.

How to Plan Your Visit

Getting to Desert X from Joshua Tree is easy, perfect for a day or weekend excursion. Use the official Desert X app for maps, details about the installations, and recommended viewing times. Enhance your trip with stops at Palm Springs’ renowned dining spots like Cheeky’s for brunch or Ernest Coffee for an espresso break.

Why It Matters for Joshua Tree Residents and Visitors

Desert X deepens the connection between Joshua Tree and the broader desert community, enriching the artistic and cultural landscape. It inspires residents and visitors alike, emphasizing shared environmental values and creative expression unique to desert life.

With installations on view until May 11, Desert X 2025 offers an exceptional chance to immerse yourself in innovative art, surrounded by the natural splendor of the Coachella Valley.

Desert X 2025: A Creative Journey Through the Coachella Valley