Journey Through The Desert – The Road Less Traveled

On view at the Palm Springs Art Museum in Palm Desert, The Galen

Journey Through The Desert – The Road Less Traveled features work by approximately 20 American photographers.   On display at the Palm Springs Art Museum in Palm Desert, The Galen

This exhibition is not about the history of photography and how the themes of beauty and pictorial documentation have been interpreted through time. Instead, the selection seeks to examine the individual photographer’s distinct visions and unique journeys through the American deserts of the West.

Organized into three major themes, Land/Sky, Abandoned/Forgotten Places, and Tracks in the Sands, the exhibition loosely suggests a visual narrative that begins with the photographer’s journey through the land, from panoramic views to distant and isolated places. The recurring theme of the photographer’s vehicle is introduced to symbolize exploration of the vast desert. For example, Willard has documented the challenges he faced prior to the development of paved roads, air conditioned vehicles, and convenience rest stops. 

The visual journey continues as artists reveal through their camera lenses the dilemma of reconciling human interaction with the allure and beauty of the desert in contrast with the harsh reality of the extreme environment.

Credit: Exhibition overview from museum website.