THE MONTHLY | DESERT X - THE BUNKER

In an effort to apologize for the quality of the above photo, just know it was taken underground. That's right, as a participant of Desert X, one of the exhibits requires you to ascend into a "bunker", which is more like a cleared out sewer pipe. Texan artist, Will Boone, constructed this piece, entitled Monument, dedicated to the mythical figures of our society, such as one John F. Kennedy. Building on elements of the 1960's, nuclear attacks and fear of invasion of others, Boone also aims to use this figure to discuss these ever continuing contemporary fears with Monument. 

A shiny enlarged sculpture of JFK sits peacefully behind a large door at the bottom of a ladder. This hatch however, sits inexplicably on the side of Bob Hope Dr., just waiting for someone to find it. The whole aura of the piece implies a stowed away secret or a hidden temple of worship. Boone's Monument suggests a type of reliquary statue or status of the figure, and is equal part creepy and strange, as well as cheerful. John F. Kennedy in this way portrays a symbol of the optimism of the 1960's, shrugged away and kept safe, but also a little forgotten.

Although we followed the map, trying to capture as many of the exhibits as possible in one day, we heard there was one we could not miss and it was only open at night. Next week, I finish off with my favorite piece of Desert X....

The opening to Boone's Monument