Internationally recognized, Coachella Valley artist, Cristopher Cichocki, will create his latest art installation entitled, “Desert Sea,” on the Festival Lawn, 68-600 East Palm Canyon Drive, in Downtown Cathedral City with a scheduled opening on Friday, February 15, 2019 through Sunday, May 5, 2019. Desert Sea unveils a fusion of materials derived from the Coachella Valley that include Salton Sea barnacles, living aloe vera, along with reclaimed irrigation tubing that once watered the mass of abandoned orchard branches on view within this large-scale artwork. Cichocki’s application of fluorescent color stems from his early explorations of coded street markings related to urban construction, property divisions, and infrastructural development. Here, in the midst of a desert that was once submerged under water, Cichocki shifts the identity of fluorescence and black light into perceptions of deep-sea bioluminescence. In this sense, Desert Sea re-examines the surviving seeds within this ancient desert abyss.
For decades Cichocki has been immersed in the desert of Southern California, responding to the dynamic ecology and water issues of the region. The artist’s environmental interventions reflect upon the timeline spanning from pre-historic oceans to the present-day intersection between humankind, the natural world, and industrial expansion.
“With art enthusiasts coming to the Coachella Valley from all over the world during this time of year, we wanted to showcase the work of an artist that embraces the desert and its’ history,” stated Alan Carvalho, chair of the Cathedral City Public Arts Commission (CCPAC). “Cristopher’s work has been exhibited internationally, and the poetic breadth he expels transforms these living, decaying, and reclaimed materials into a discussion about our environment that resonates deeply within our desert and beyond.”
An opening reception for Desert Sea will launch on Friday, February 15, from 8 pm to 10 pm featuring Circular Dimensions, Cichocki’s LIVE audiovisual performance that will activate Desert Sea into a multi-sensory environment.
Desert Sea will be open daily during its scheduled run. The transitional art installation can be viewed in the daytime and/or at nighttime via ultra violet illumination. Admission and public parking are free.
The Cathedral City Public Art Council’s mission serves to collect and preserve art from local and international artists. CCPAC is funded by developer fees. Composed of five local residents who are appointed to three-year terms by the City Council, CCPAC meets once a month in Council Chambers on the 2nd Monday of each month starting at 5:30 pm. The agenda for each meeting and video of the meetings are available on the City’s website at: www.CathedralCity.gov
What: “Cristopher Cichocki – Desert Sea” Art Exhibition – Opening Reception
Where: Cathedral City Festival Lawn, 68-600 East Palm Canyon Drive, Cathedral City
When: Friday, February 15, 2019, 8 pm to 10 pm
More Information: www.CristopherSea.com or (310) 985-1163 or info@cristophersea.com
