The Desert X exhibition in the beautiful Alula desert is one you can't miss
Find trampolines, swings, metal boxes, coloured stones and more…
For its past two editions, Desert X – a young contemporary art biennial, has taken place in the deserts of Southern California. This year, it has moved to the Alula desert in northwestern Saudi Arabia.
The exhibition, which is made up of fourteen monumental installations, is, according to organisers, ‘Saudi Arabia’s first site-specific art exhibition.’
It is will run from January 31 to March 7, 2020 and is open to the public so be sure to come here with phones fully charged to get those ‘Gram worthy shots.
The works of art on display are all new pieces by artists from California, Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East.
Pictured in the images above is the creation of Saudi Arabian artist, Manal Al Dowayan titled ‘Now You See Me, Now You Don’t’.
While fun to bounce up and down on, from afar (and yes, you are encouraged to do so), these trampolines from afar, look like water pools in the desert signifying a mirage.
On her official Instagram account, Manal stated ‘It is a work that speaks on behalf of the humble puddles of the dessert that used to live long lives and provide water to animals and humans alike. Today because of environmental changes and irresponsible irrigation practices most of our deserts have depleted their water sources. In turn, the puddle now has a very short life and she invites us to engage with her because…now you see her and then soon you will not,’
At night, these trampolines get lit from underneath making it a very stunning sight to see after sunset as well.
The other exhibitions that are on display here are equally terrific, too.
eL Seed, a well known Dubai-based artist has a beautiful calligraphy piece at the at the biennial and is probably his most breathtaking project yet – so it’s one not to be missed.
You can also find a swing for three people by the Danish collective Superflex – which forces three people to come together and coordinate their movements in order to swing properly
Stay till the night and witness the beautiful Concise Passage, Saudi artist Rashed Al Shashai. The pyramidal structure is made from plastic pallets typically used for the transportation of goods. At night, the structure lights up and is quite a beautiful sight.
Images: Desert X/Lance Gerber