IT'S BEEN A MONTH AND A HALF SINCE MY LAST POST...
Which is especially ironic since I made a commitment to myself in November, as I was leaving San Francisco, to photograph constantly and post here regularly. Despite that, my visit to the Salton Sea, in early January, is my first photographic trip since leaving San Francisco. But, despite this temporal creative gap, I have been working harder than ever on my photography. It's just been a different kind of work than I ever expected. Sometimes, the path before us isn't straight. Sometimes, it's sinuous and windy. Sometimes, it takes us to incredible places we never expected. I'll be sharing more about this journey and what's coming next soon.
A brief history
The Salton Sea, California’s largest and most mysterious lake, came into existence by accident but quickly became a testament to human ambition. In 1905, a breach in irrigation canals sent the Colorado River rushing into the arid Salton Sink, transforming a barren desert into a vast, glimmering lake. Once celebrated as a miracle in the desert, it evolved into a thriving resort destination. Its shores bustled with optimism and hope. But as agricultural runoff poisoned its waters and the ecosystem began to collapse, the sea’s promise faded into death and decay.
Bombay Village
The abandonment of Bombay Beach turned it into a haunting relic of the past, where traces of a once-thriving resort town linger in the salty and sometimes noxious desert air. Once a lively destination on the Salton Sea’s shores, it has become a patchwork of crumbling homes, rusted trailers, and salt-encrusted ruins. Yet, amid the decay, Bombay Beach has found new life as a canvas for creativity, drawing artists and wanderers who bring color and meaning to its desolation and decay. It stands as a powerful symbol of reinvention, where the scars of abandonment meet the resilience of artistic human expression.
Slab City
Perhaps the most unusual and captivating place near the Salton Sea is Slab City, a haven where freedom thrives amid the remnants of abandonment. Once a WWII military base, it has transformed into a refuge for those living outside the boundaries of conventional society. Here, art and anarchy coexist, with murals and installations emerging from the sandy desert floor. In this lawless and limitless outpost, Slab City epitomizes the rugged beauty of resilience, creativity, and the eternal human pursuit of self-determination.
Salvation Mountain
One of the most iconic landmarks near the Salton Sea is Salvation Mountain, a strange and colorful hand-built tribute to faith and love. Created by Leonard Knight over decades, the mountain is made of adobe, straw, and layers of vibrant paint, adorned with biblical verses and messages of love and hope. This installation has become a symbol of devotion and creativity, drawing visitors from around the world to its saturated slopes.
Of all the places I explored...
Slab City has stuck with the most. I can't stop thinking about it. It's etched deep into my psyche. I haven't even begun to scratch the surface in my exploration of it. My photography doesn't even begin to capture what makes Slab City so special... the people. I must go deeper in my photographic exploration of Slab City. In the next couple months, I am going to attempt to go deeper. I hope I can begin to do this fantastic and magical place and its inhabitants justice.
