One of the things I have always found funny about the desert are the random art installations you come across – and this is not unique to the United States. They’re all over the place! In Twentynine Palms and the areas of the desert just outside the city limits, you’ll find people’s yards (if you can call them that – it’s all sand and rocks) full of all sorts of things. One house has at least 15 – 20 doors, all painted red, standing out front. Another grouping of plastic skeletons, which appear to be having a party. Yet another a group of metal animal sculptures, like an old VW bug painted up like an actual bug. I guess since you can’t get plants or anything else to grow like people traditionally do, this is a way of adding some pazazz to your lot?
Anyway, a couple years ago I took a route I don’t normally take to get to Joshua Tree, and happened to spot an installation I’d never seen before – just simply giant letters that spelled “The End of the World”. I stopped and admired it and couldn’t help but laugh because in many ways, this area does feel like the end of the world, so to speak. I thought to myself I should come back and take pictures in better light, but then got distracted with other projects and never went back to it. Well, this year I decided to make it happen.
As I was shooting, there were unfortunately some clouds that rolled in, which amplified the light pollution of the city, but I don’t suppose every sky has to be completely perfect. I even liked that one of the letters has fallen over, as it sort of lends itself to the dystopian feel I was after.
By the way, if you intend to visit the The End of the World sign just outside Twentynine Palms, be careful. The area in front of the sign and parts of the obvious trail to the sign are VERY sandy. I had to put the Jeep in 4 wheel drive to get out, and I’ve since seen where it is quite common for people to have to get their cars pulled out after getting stuck. If you don’t have 4 wheel drive, don’t go back there, and even with it, be careful where you park!
More next week!
–Dan Thompson