High Desert Test Sites 2011 this weekend

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Art and architecture fans not put off by the possibility of digging fellow travelers out of the sand will want to head toward the Joshua trees this weekend for High Desert Test Sites.

For the eighth time, architects and designers have created installations that melt into the landscape by Joshua Tree National Park, turning spots of high desert near Pioneertown, Joshua Tree, Twentynine Palms and Wonder Valley into gallery space.

Ball-Nogues Studio’s architectural installation ‘Yucca Crater,’ shown in the rendering at right, is part earthwork and part playground. The nearly 30-foot structure has rock climbing holds mounted to the interior, descending into a pool of water -- a welcome relief in temperatures forecast to hit about 90.

The installation will be left intact after this weekend, the designers say, much like the abandoned swimming pools of the Mojave.

Benjamin Luddy and Makoto Mizutani of Scout Regalia have created Trail Registry, shown at the top of the post and below right. The piece is inspired by the registries found at trailheads.

The designers want visitors to leave or to take a memento tied to the enameled aluminum rods, similar to the way hikers leave rocks at the top of a mountain or trailhead.
High Desert Test Sites will feature works by Bodycity, Shari Elf, Dawn Kasper, ROLU and Welcome Projects and Claude Collins-Stracensky.

The schedule of events, driving map of all sites and list of curators are available on the High Desert Test Sites 2011 event page as well as at event headquarters, 4670 Veterans Way, off 29 Palms Highway in downtown Joshua Tree.

Water, cash, snacks, big hats, sunscreen and a trash bag for refuse are all advised.

ALSO:

Eames House, Lovell Beach House open for tours

Eames House restoration underway

LACMA’s ‘California Design, 1930-1965: Living in a Modern Way’

-- Lisa Boone

Photo credits: Scout Regalia; Ball-Nogues Studio