“THE SEARCHERS” marked the final iteration of High Desert Test Sites’ sun-scorched biennial in Southern California’s arid Morongo Basin. Since 2002, the nonprofit has worked with over four hundred and fifty artists on a dozen biennials, twenty-five solo projects, and countless events. Primarily, programming occurs around the rapidly growing cities of Yucca Valley, Joshua Tree, and Wonder Valley. HDTS 2015, though, absconded to Green River, Utah, and the edition I participated in, HDTS 2013, stretched seven hundred miles, with sixty projects from Joshua Tree to Albuquerque. Guest curator Iwona
Nevada Museum of Art presents exhibition of Andrea Zittel and High Desert Test Sites
Untitled, HDTS 2 (2003), Wade Guyton, Andys Gamma Gulch Parcel, Pioneertown. Photo: Regen Projects. Courtesy the artist and High Desert Test Sites.
RENO, NV
.- In 2000, artist Andrea Zittel relocated from Brooklyn, New York, to a property she purchased in the Mojave Desert near Joshua Tree National Park, where she established a home, studio, and testing grounds called A-Z West. In 2002, with collaborators Andy Stillpass, John Connelly, Lisa Anne Auerbach, and Shaun Caley Regen, she established High Desert Test Sites (HDTS)a series of ephemeral, experimental site-specific projects including sculpture, performance, workshops, and intimate exchanges. HDTS became best known for its roving biennial events, with installations spread across locations that have stretched from Joshua Tree to Albuquerque. HDTS also hosts a residency program, holds film screenings, produces publications, and conduct