Bombay Beach Art

  During the 1950s and 1960s the Sultan Sea was the place to be for summer fun of sports fishing, boat racing, water skiing, and swimming.  Bombay Beach’s vacation cottages and trailer parks were filled every weekend until the floods of 1976 and 1977 destroyed half of the town. A dike was built to protect the rest of the town from future floods but declining water levels, increased salinity, and pollution from agricultural runoff contributed to town’s demise.

  Today just few hundred people live in Bombay Beach and most of the buildings are empty however a group of artists is attempting to bring some life back to the town. 2016 was the first year of the Bombay Beach Biennale, a weekend of art and entertainment. There has been a festival every year except for 2020 when coronavirus forced a postponement. Many of the art installations are permanent and visitors are welcome.

   We spent an afternoon wandering around looking at all of the creations. There are three different areas – the beach between the dike and the sea where the jagged studs of buildings are still visible half buried in sand; the Bombay Beach Estates, a cluster of abandoned cottages and trailers that serve as large canvases; and isolated artwork in vacant lots and the yards of residents.

   Avenue A provides the best access over the dike and onto the beach. It’s possible to drive on the beach if the street is not blocked off. Stay on the trafficked lanes to avoid getting stuck. We parked along the street and walked/rolled to see the art. Most wheelchair users will need assistance.

  Bombay Beach Estates is gated to prevent vehicle traffic but foot traffic is okay. Caution is required due to the amount of rubble and deteriorating structures.

    

  The streets are lightly trafficked so walking/rolling down them is fine. All of the art installations along the streets can be viewed from your vehicle.  Art  33.34878, -115.73295