Suburban Mirage

09 : 03 : 2017 Desert X : Hollow Middle : Doug Aitken

California – An art installation in the Coachella Valley explores the cultural value of the suburban American home.

  • Aitken’s artwork takes the form of a standard suburban American home
  • The piece is part of Desert X, an exhibition that explores the context and concept of the desert
Mirage by Doug Aitken for Desert X, California. Photography by Lance Gerber Mirage by Doug Aitken for Desert X, California. Photography by Lance Gerber
Curves and Zigzags by Claudia Comte for Desert X, California. Photography by Lance Gerber Curves and Zigzags by Claudia Comte for Desert X, California. Photography by Lance Gerber
Visible Distance by Jennifer Bolande for Desert X, California. Photography by Lance Gerber Visible Distance by Jennifer Bolande for Desert X, California. Photography by Lance Gerber
The Circle of Land and Sky by Phillip K. Smith for Desert X, California. Photography by Lance Gerber The Circle of Land and Sky by Phillip K. Smith for Desert X, California. Photography by Lance Gerber

Created by artist Doug Aitken, the Mirage sculpture recreates the form of a ranch-style home, common to suburban enclaves throughout America. The structure, situated just outside of Palm Springs, a town notable for its Mid-century modernist architecture, is completely covered in mirrored panels. This enables the house to blend into the landscape.

‘Mirage distils the recognisable and repetitious suburban home into the essence of its lines, reflecting and disappearing into the vast Western landscape,’ Aitken explains. ‘The mass-produced ranch home became a familiar sight across the country, the style filling the American landscape as quickly as each new subdivision was built.’

The artwork is one of 16 pieces that have been installed throughout the Valley as part of the Desert X exhibition, an exploration of the context and concept of the desert.

The Big Picture

Following the 2016 shock presidential election result, artists are using their work to better understand America’s disenfranchised middle classes. Look out for our forthcoming Hollow Middle report, due to be published this spring.

Discover More Daily Signals
Yōjō harnesses vagus nerve technology for everyday wellbeing

Daily Signals

Yōjō harnesses vagus nerve technology for everyday wellbeing

Yōjō is a new wellness eco-system using non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS), biofeedback and human coaching to help people calm their bodie...
Health : Wellness : Technology
OpenAI launches agentic AI shopping system

Daily Signals

OpenAI launches agentic AI shopping system

ChatGPT users in America can now shop directly within conversations through OpenAI’s new Instant Checkout feature, available to Pro, Plus and Free ...
Technology : Retail : Agentic AI
Stat: The running boom is powering New York’s economy

Daily Signals

Stat: The running boom is powering New York’s economy

Running is proving to be big business for New York, according to the latest Economic Impact Study from New York Road Runners (NYRR).
Sport : Health : Running
Vacheron Constantin’s La Quête du Temps stars in Louvre exhibition

Daily Signals

Vacheron Constantin’s La Quête du Temps stars in Louvre exhibition

Luxury Swiss watchmaker Vacheron Constantin has unveiled La Quête du Temps at the Louvre, a monumental automaton clock to celebrate the brand’s 270...
Luxury : Watches : Retail
Mandarin Oriental to open first golf and wellness resort in Dubai

Daily Signals

Mandarin Oriental to open first golf and wellness resort in Dubai

Mandarin Oriental is expanding its luxury footprint in Dubai with its first dedicated golf resort and branded residences, set to open in 2030.
Travel : Hospitality : Luxury
Stat: Medical misinformation is a growing concern for US Women

Daily Signals

Stat: Medical misinformation is a growing concern for US Women

A recent survey by Clue reveals that 82% of US women are concerned about encountering medical misinformation online, with over half (55%) reporting...
Stats : Statistic : Statistics
Netflix’s Famous Last Words signals a new era of digital legacy

Daily Signals

Netflix’s Famous Last Words signals a new era of digital legacy

Dr Jane Goodall, the renowned ethologist and conservationist passed away this week. An interview she recorded for Netflix’s new series Famous Last ...
Technology : Legacy : Longevity
Foresight Friday: Seyi Oduwole, foresight analyst

Daily Signals

Foresight Friday: Seyi Oduwole, foresight analyst

Every Friday, we offer an end-of-week wrap-up of the topics, issues, ideas and virals we’re all talking about. This week, foresight analyst Seyi Od...
Foresight Friday : Content Creation : Media
Stat: Americans’ trust in media declines to record low

Daily Signals

Stat: Americans’ trust in media declines to record low

Media : Trust : Consumer Behaviour
London welcomes the world’s first Museum of Youth Culture

Daily Signals

London welcomes the world’s first Museum of Youth Culture

The world’s first permanent museum dedicated to youth culture is set to open in Camden, London, in December 2025.
Youth : Culture : Museum
You have 2 free News articles remaining. Sign up to LS:N Global to get unlimited access to all articles.
BECOME A MEMBER
SIGN IN