I began my residency at the Prime Desert Woodland Preserve by watching the sun rise over the park on Jan. 1, 2019. I ended the residency watching the sun set on Dec. 31, 2019.
In between there have been intense moments of joy and fulfillment as people engaged in art activations related to the desert environment, learning and creating at the same time. I’ve written about artists in this blog I may have otherwise never met. Using motion-sensor cameras, I learned more about the creatures of the Preserve than I ever could have imagined. … And I’ve seen bunnies kiss.
I’ve gotten to know the Joshua trees of the Preserve so well that on this last night of the residency I felt as if I could call out to them by name as they pointed their wild arms at the reddening sky. When the coyotes wailed, I knew their voices, like family around a Thanksgiving table. And when the birds flew overhead, I could feel the beat of their wings on the air, like the rhythm of my own heart.
I have learned to love this Preserve. And though my official residency is over my relationship to the Preserve is not. In the next few months, a show of some of the works created during the activations will go on display at the Preserve’s visitor center. In November 2022, I will have a solo show at MOAH:CEDAR where I celebrate the time I have had in the Preserve and all I’ve learned. (And all I’ve yet to learn.)
In the meantime, please enjoy these photos of a sunset over the Preserve. Be sure to scroll through the end for the dramatic finale as the sun kissed the Preserve goodbye for 2019.
3:59 p.m. Dec. 31, 2019 at the Prime Desert Woodland Preserve
4:06 p.m. Dec. 31, 2019 at the Prime Desert Woodland Preserve
4:11 p.m. Dec. 31, 2019 at the Prime Desert Woodland Preserve
4:14 p.m. Dec. 31, 2019 at the Prime Desert Woodland Preserve
4:20 p.m. Dec. 31, 2019 at the Prime Desert Woodland Preserve
4:22 p.m. Dec. 31, 2019 at the Prime Desert Woodland Preserve
4:24 p.m. Dec. 31, 2019 at the Prime Desert Woodland Preserve
4:27 p.m. Dec. 31, 2019 at the Prime Desert Woodland Preserve
4:40 p.m. Dec. 31, 2019 at the Prime Desert Woodland Preserve
4:44 p.m. Dec. 31, 2019 at the Prime Desert Woodland Preserve
4:45 p.m. Dec. 31, 2019 at the Prime Desert Woodland Preserve
4:48 p.m. Dec. 31, 2019 at the Prime Desert Woodland Preserve
4:51 p.m. Dec. 31, 2019 at the Prime Desert Woodland Preserve
4:53 p.m. Dec. 31, 2019 at the Prime Desert Woodland Preserve
4:54 p.m. Dec. 31, 2019 at the Prime Desert Woodland Preserve
4:59 p.m. Dec. 31, 2019 at the Prime Desert Woodland Preserve
5:05 p.m. Dec. 31, 2019 at the Prime Desert Woodland Preserve