20. Visiting the “Indian Land” Installation in the California Desert
In 2021, artist Nicholas Galanin installed a large-scale artwork titled Never Forget in the Coachella Valley, California. This piece featured 45-foot-tall white letters spelling out “Indian Land,” mimicking the iconic Hollywood sign. The installation was part of the Desert X exhibition and aimed to highlight the history of Indigenous land dispossession in the United States. Galanin, who is of Tlingit and Unangax̂ heritage, used this artwork to prompt discussions about land rights and the ongoing impact of colonialism. By placing the installation on the ancestral lands of the Cahuilla people, he emphasized the need to acknowledge and address historical injustices.
Visiting this site offers travelers a chance to engage with contemporary art that challenges conventional narratives. It serves as a reminder of the importance of recognizing and respecting the histories of the lands we explore.