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PALM SPRINGS
Bombay Beach Art Installation
Art and surrealism at the Salton Sea
Southeast of Palm Springs, the Salton Sea and its su-
rroundings invite visitors on a unique excursion through
spaces where art and surrealism shape the landscape.
Bombay Beach, a settlement experiencing a revival
through its art scene, displays installations and sculptu-
res amid an extravagant, timeless atmosphere. Its un-
usual urban layout and the presence of the Ski Inn—a
bar located more than 70 metres below sea level—crea-
te a setting that blends kitsch humour with local history.
It’s a tradition for visitors to leave decorated dollar bills
on the bar’s walls, forming a mosaic of messages and
drawings that tell the story of travellers from all over the
world. The bar, famous for its “patty melt,” has gai-
ned international fame after appearing on television
and becoming a must-stop on the route.
Nearby, Salvation Mountain stands out as an ex-
plosion of colour in the middle of the desert—a hill
transformed into a work of folk art by Leonard Knight,
radiating messages of hope and spirituality. Beyond
this, the artistic community of Slab City—known as
“the last free place”—offers an alternative journey
outside conventional rules, where experimental pro-
jects like East Jesus push the boundaries of art and
communal living.
Bombay Beach Art Installation
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