With this project, I explored how desert regions are connected to spirituality, using Joshua Tree as a stepping off point to discuss the entire American Great Basin.
I identified 3 main archetypes of people that are drawn to the desert: Prophets, speaking to the etymology of Joshua Tree as well as assemblage artist Noah Purifoy who lived and worked there, commenting on society, Pioneers, discussing the Native peoples of the area as well as mining culture, and Pilgrims, opening a conversation about those passing through the region, perhaps on their way to their "promised land".One of the key visual elements in the project was to visualize the idea of 'landscape as memory', translating to projecting directly onto the actual rocks and trees of Joshua Tree National Park.
This concept took the form of an interactive installation, 240-page book, and poster series.