Hotshots
In May 2012, the Gladiator Fire ravaged an ecologically fragile mountain region in central Arizona, burning an area larger than the island of Manhattan. Dramatically saved by firefighters was the town of Crown King, an unpaved, historic mining town with a general store, two restaurant/bars, two churches, and a few visitor lodges: full-time population less than 100.
Hotshots interprets the fire-transformed high desert landscape for the visitor by inserting a series of bright yellow, slightly anthropomorphic viewing stations along the gravel road towards the town through the path of the fire.
Directions: The project will start at the Cordes Station historic stage stop, roughly 3 miles from the Bloody Basin exit on I-17 (exit 259). Look for the first of the bright yellow Hotshot boxes here, and follow them up to the town of Crown King. This project is meant to be experienced in the daylight–it will probably take about 2 hours to get from Cordes Station to Crown King, if stopping to view the project along the way.
Afterwards, join us at the Mill Restaurant in Crown King for Happy Hour & Dinner (we can’t wait to check out their brand new beer garden!), followed by a performance by Olav Westphalen at the Crown King Saloon.
Listen to an interview with Saskia and Victor by Gabie Strong for KCHUNG Earth Art Radio.
OCTOBER 12, 2013 - OCTOBER 19, 2013
High Desert Test Sites hits the road for a full week of experimental art and exploration, from Joshua Tree to Albuquerque!
HDTS 2013, the ninth program in a series of free ranging and ever evolving contemporary art events, expands our range and depth to take in everything from Joshua Tree, California to Albuquerque, New Mexico. Roughly 60 new projects will take place over an entire week, during which artists and audience alike will traverse over 700 miles of desert roads to check out the new work and explore the hidden gems and diverse desert communities along this spectacular stretch of the Southwest.
Project sites include: Amboy Crater, Arcosanti, Area 66 (Yucca), Art Queen (Joshua Tree), Bluewater Lake State Park, El Malpais National Monument, El Rancho Hotel (Gallup), Giant Rock (Landers), Hill Top Motel (Kingman), Magdalena Ridge Observatory (Socorro), Mill Restaurant (Crown King), Montessa Park (Albuquerque), Palms Restaurant and Saloon (Wonder Valley), Petrified Forest National Park, Octopus Car Wash (Albuquerque), Pink Post Office Projects (Wonder Valley), Tamarind Institute (Albuquerque), Warehouse 1-10 (Magdalena), in addition to our regular HDTS sites.
The week’s festivities include a Saturday night opening dinner (first-come-first-served) at The Palms in Wonder Valley October 12, with musical performances by The Sibleys and The Renderers.
A zine-style publication, designed by Brad Hudson Thomas, with original texts by James Trainor and Eden Solas, will accompany the event.
