A new art installation will soon become part of the desert landscape. Swiss artist Séverin Guelpa, known for his deeply rooted works in fragile and powerful environments, has returned to BoxoPROJECTS to unveil “Dancing With The Sky.”
Séverin Guelpa’s latest sculpture is a permanent addition to the desert. Created from a large local boulder and split into several pieces, the installation interacts with the shifting sky, the cycles of light, and the ever-changing weather conditions of the High Desert. The stones’ reflective facets communicate with the land itself, mirroring the rhythms of the environment and paying homage to the region’s geology.
Guelpa describes his artistic approach.
“My name is Séverin Guelpa—Severin in French. I am what you call a visual artist. So, my practice really comes from sculpture, but with the idea of not really building sculpture but using the natural elements in a pretty radical way. I think my art is a mix of land arts influences, very minimalistic work, working with earth, sun, and stones, and at the same time trying to speak about people, communities, and how we live together.
Guelpa, born in 1974 and based in Geneva, draws much of his inspiration from threatened landscapes, whether in deserts or on glaciers. His work explores time, land use, and human autonomy. He often uses raw materials and industrial remnants to highlight the delicate balance between nature and human impact. For “Dancing with the Sky,” Guelpa’s current piece, a large boulder sourced from a local quarry, is split into multiple pieces and reassembled. He then integrates mirrored surfaces to reflect themes of identity and place.
For those who wish to experience this immersive dialogue between art and landscape, “Dancing With The Sky” will be unveiled on Saturday, February 22, at 3 p.m., at BoxoPROJECTS, 62732 Sullivan Road, Joshua Tree. The event will feature an artist discussion, providing a deeper insight into Guelpa’s creative process and the significance of his work in the vast desert expanse.
