A ‘weird dream’ of an arts festival began 10 years ago in the California desert – can it survive its growing popularity?

The Guardian US News
by Chris Iovenko in Bombay Beach
April 11, 2026
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3 min read

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The Bombay Beach Biennale, an arts festival in the California desert, faces challenges due to its growing popularity.

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The Bombay Beach Biennale, an outdoor art festival, began ten years ago as an intimate event in the California desert and has since grown dramatically. This festival is held in Bombay Beach, a small, impoverished town over 150 miles east of Los Angeles, known for its scorching heat and the decaying Salton Sea. The event's increasing popularity now raises questions about whether it can sustain its original do-it-yourself atmosphere. The unique setting, 235 feet below sea level with an odor of decay from the dying inland lake, makes it an unconventional location for such a gathering. The ongoing expansion challenges the festival's ability to maintain its distinctive character amidst its growth.

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