Photo credit: Andrew Jorgenson ©Coachella 2017
The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival—known simply as Coachella—might be known for its high-profile music acts, but it’s also an impressive display of art. Located in the desert of Indio, California, the desolate landscape is lit up every year with vibrant lights, immersive installations, and enthusiastic attendees. The 2017 festival is currently underway and just finished its first weekend, with the Coachella art being too large and colorful for anyone to ignore—and why would you?
This year marks the largest sculpture commissions in festival history. Each of the pieces are distinct, but every installation conveys a sense of wonder with the essence of its form. From dazzling mirrors to cartoon-like plants that are larger than life, the artworks invite people to walk around and even inside of them.
One of the most striking pieces is by Gustavo Prado, a Brazilian-born sculptor who created Lamp Beside the Golden Door. It features thousands of rounded mirrors arranged “at concurrent yet separated angles.” At nearly every turn, they catch brilliant facets of light. They also fragment the image of whoever looks in it. “You are driven to approach the piece for a very selfish and individualistic reason – to see what it does to your own reflection, and what you get is this collection of parts of multiple bodies,” Prado explains. “The changes produced by the mirrors are not limited to a well-defined geometric, enclosed space and a body that walks in it. It encompasses the changes in light during the day, a much larger landscape, and all of its idiosyncratic qualities. But, more importantly, a group of viewers.”
Coachella is known for its great music, but it also has amazing, immersive artwork.
Photo credit: Brian Willette ©Coachella 2017
Coachella art has larger-than-life plants…
Photo credit: Andrew Jorgenson ©Coachella 2017
Photo credit: Dave Bullock ©Coachella 2017
Photo credit: Erik Voake ©Coachella 2017
Photo credit: Lance Gerber ©Coachella 2017
Giant creatures…
Photo credit: Andrew Jorgenson ©Coachella 2017
Photo credit: Dave Bullock©Coachella 2017
Photo credit: Andrew Jorgenson ©Coachella 2017
And unconventional houses that comes alive at night…
Photo credit: Andrew Jorgenson ©Coachella 2017
Photo credit: Andrew Jorgenson ©Coachella 2017
Photo credit: Andrew Jorgenson ©Coachella 2017
Photo credit: Andrew Jorgenson ©Coachella 2017
Photo credit: Lance Gerber ©Coachella 2017
…plus a dazzling mirrored tower.
Photo credit: Andrew Jorgenson ©Coachella 2017
Photo credit: Charles Reagan Hackleman ©Coachella 2017
Photo credit: Lance Gerber ©Coachella 2017
Photo credit: Chris Miller ©Coachella 2017
Photo credit: Chris Miller ©Coachella 2017
Photo credit: Chris Miller ©Coachella 2017
Aside from the art and music, Coachella also has great food, with over 100 vendors who serve a variety of fare. From wood-fired pizza to tacos, the festival features its own collection of Instagram-worthy dishes. A green salad with octopus tentacles and a sundae garnished with two delicious churros are just two of the myriad of options available. It’s more meals than what one person can possibly enjoy in two weekends—making it all the more reason to go back next year.
Coachella is also a place for foodies.
Photo credit: Neil Husvar ©Coachella 2017
Photo credit: Neil Husvar ©Coachella 2017
Photo credit: Neil Husvar ©Coachella 2017
Photo credit: Neil Husvar ©Coachella 2017
From crazy shakes to pop up restaurants, there's something for everyone.
Photo credit: Brian Willette ©Coachella 2017
Photo credit: Julian Bajsel ©Coachella 2017
Photo credit: Neil Husvar ©Coachella 2017
Photo credit: Neil Husvar ©Coachella 2017
With the food, art, and music, it's almost more than someone can enjoy in a weekend. All the more reason to go back next year!
Photo credit: Andrew Jorgenson ©Coachella 2017
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