Desert X 2019 : Photo Guide to Art in the Desert

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Hey everyone! Kay, the Awkward Traveller here! I don’t do a lot of photo guides, but honestly in this case, the photos really do speak louder than any words I could throw together. That’s what art is about anyway, right?? And Desert X 2019? Yeah, it SPEAKS VOLUMES.

If you’ve never heard of Desert X before, it is an outdoor art exhibition that takes place Coachella Valley in Southern California. The pieces are site-specific and bring focus to the local environment and socio-political-economic issues of the Valley.

Each art piece is placed in a unique location in the valley, from downtown Palm Springs, to the deserts of Thousand Palms, to the hills in Desert Hot Springs, to the spongy grounds of the Salton Sea. It’s literally an art road trip! Along with some helpful tips, I’ll also show you some of my favorite pieces from Desert X 2019!

I first stumbled upon Desert X in 2017, when they had their debut. I just so happened to be in the area at that time, and I had a blast!

So I signed up for the newsletter because there was no way I was missing the next one! When Desert X 2019 was announced, the first thing I did was book my plane tickets. This is where my first tip comes in handy.

Tip 1: Plan your dates

Assuming they will keep the same rough timeline (Desert X 2019 had the same time frame as in 2017), then the exhibition will run Feb-April. I like to think of it as 3 time slots.

• Feb: early
• March: middle
• April: late

You should plan your trip based on what kind of experience you want.

If you go in February, be ready for cooler temperatures and a higher chance of flash floods. Desert X 2019 had to close a few of the exhibits in February due to flooding. On the other hand, it’s the end of the low season. Hotels and Airbnbs will have more availability and lower prices. And there will probably be less crowding from LA locals. If you’re a content creator, you’ll be one of the first posting these pictures.

I went during late Feb this year (2019) and although it was cooler in the mornings and at night, it was still warm in the middle of the day. I got a great deal on a hotel room (more on that later), flights, and car rental! Plus, the hotel I was staying in (The Saguaro Palm Springs) was practically empty!

If you go in March, the temperatures will be a little warmer, but also windier. This is a good middle ground to visit, and while it may be a little busier (especially once the California desert flowers start to bloom), it is still considered low season in terms of prices. There are probably a good number of pictures floatimg around social media by now, which can help if youd like photography ideas.

April will hands down be the busiest time to visit, especially with Coachella right around the corner. But it will also be warm enough to hang out in the pools, and the wildflowers will make the nearby hiking trails beautiful!

Pick your poison.

Tip 2: Grab a place to stay

Once you know when you want to visit, you should probably find a place to stay. Desert X has a a hub hotel (like the Ace Hotel in Palm Springs) and staying there will DEFINITELY get you pumped up for the event…OR – you could just stay anywhere. You’ll be driving around anyway to see the art pieces, so you can just drive to the Ace Hotel to pick up the map and booklet (that are both free!). If you stay at any of the partner hotels though, you get a discount! I stayed at the Saguaro hotel (not sponsored) and had a great time!

Sweet, so you’ve got a place to stay, now you should figure out transportation, yeah? If you can swing it, driving yourself around is HONESTLY the best experience.If you rent a car, Desert X also has a discount code for Enterprise!  But if not, there are some public bus tours available on Saturdays and Sundays.

Tip 3: Know your map bruh

Step 1 – download the desertx app. It will be THE MOST USEFUL thing you can do before you set out. It will have all the directions to all the sites, as well as a bit of info on the artists and the art piece.

Step 2 – download the 4th wall app. Two of the sites feature a 4th dimension aspect, and you will need the app to fully experience the piece. It is a large app, so you will need to be connected to wifi to download it. Both apps are free.

Step 3- prioritize. If you only plan on visiting one or two sites, then you don’t really have to worry about this too much. However, if you want to see them all (or at least most), you’ll have to be more strategic with your time and route. Some of the sites close early (there were 3 for Desert X 2019 that closed at 4pm), so be sure to check as you plan your day. I didn’t, and ended up having to return the next day 🙁

Get Going!

BOOM – and that’s all you gotta do to have your best Desert X experience! So grab some friends, get your best driving playlist, and hit the road to see some BANGING ART! Oh! And don’t forget your camera!

Have you ever been to Desert X? What about any kind of roadtrip-esque art exhibition?

If you’re looking for more things to do in Coachella Valley, check out the amazing art at Salvation Mountain! Or if you’re looking for a more sandy desert, there’s always the Imperial Sand Dunes!

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