Margarita Oasis, Desert Mirage

High Desert Test Sites, Wonder Valley / Joshua Tree, California Invited by Andrea Zittel to participate in High Desert Test Sites, Nelson drove the same gold Mercedes used in Margaritaville into the desert and staged it as if it had crash-landed near a salt mine. The trunk held supplies for roughly 300 handmade margaritas, served at sunset to artists, locals and visitors who found their way to the site. The work condensed several recurring concerns into a deceptively simple social sculpture: landscape as stage, hospitality as performance, an ordinary vehicle made theatrical, and intoxication used as a literal alteration of perception. Collaborators / contributors: Invited by Andrea Zittel; assistance from Sherry Walsh; salt connection through Jason Rhoades.