Enchantments by the Sea

A community of nomads, free-thinkers, and recluses continue the territory's legacy centering eclectic art, including Salvation Mountain, a divine monument created by Leonard Knight, to East Jesus's art museum housing sculptures–born from scrap metal and waste. Various art forms, from graffiti, sculptures, and storytelling, connect Slab City to the shores of Bombay Beach. The beach's allure does not purely depend on the community's eccentric sculptures and culture but on the Salton Sea's strangeness. "It's an oasis. I know you'll love it here," states a man as I head toward the quaint town.

This enigmatic captivation makes this part of the Sonoran Desert a place to witness. Pink sunsets, silence, and isolation define this mysterious sea. From Slab City to Bombay Beach, locals aim to preserve the area's anonymity and reclusiveness. "I moved out here ten years ago from Orange County. I live here with my boyfriend. We've been wanting to get away for so long, and the financial crisis forced us to. My daughter thinks we're crazy, but she lives in LA and works at some Tech company. This place is magical, and I love the people I've met," say's a local as I spark a conversation. While this beautifully unique place has so much to offer, the art scene is ever-growing and transforming one's perception of art.

Check out exclusive photos of the art scene surrounding the Salton Sea below.

Culture

Meet Keith Chilvers

October 29, 2024

When was the last time you had your face painted? Maybe it was at a childhood birthday party or a local fair, where your chosen mask sparked a day of pretend play. Revisiting this childhood ritual, artists Angel Velluto and Janina Zais took us across London to meet eight seniors whose stories revealed resilience and strength. Each participant was asked to fill out a Proustian-inspired questionnaire, and their responses were discussed with the team before being translated into unique masks by Zais. During the process, we had the chance to chat with each person to learn more about why the face paint they chose felt like a fitting tribute to their lives.

Keith Chilvers, 77, was born in Wolverhampton and now lives on Wellington Row in East London. He is obsessed with dogs and currently shares Hunter with a dear friend. His home is covered in beautiful wood carvings he makes himself and pictures of his past pets. On his balcony, he grows tomatoes and sweet peppers and in the front communal garden of his apartment block, he is trying to create a meadow of wildflowers for the other residents to enjoy.

Creative Angel Velluto
Producer Angel Velluto
Interview by Angel Velluto
Photography by Rebecca Zephyr Thomas
Face-Paint by Janina Zais
Director/DOP Ruby Harris
Editor Helen Teixeira
Casting by Rebecca Zephyr Thomas and Angel Velluto
Stills-film process and scan by Labyrinth

Where were you born?

Wolverhampton.

Where do you feel most comfortable?

London.

What quality do you think defines you most?

I do what I say I’m going to or die trying.

What do you look for in a companion?

Not talking too much.

What is your biggest weakness?

Refusing to give up.

What is your biggest strength?

Refusing to give up!

What has surprised you most in life?

Lasting this long.

What does your perfect day look like?

Laid back.

What is your favorite color?

Green.

Who are your favorite fictional characters?

Cohen the Barbarian from Discworld.

Who or what is your biggest inspiration?

Jerry Garcia.

What is your favorite food?

Christmas food: mince pies, pudding, etc.

What quality do you dislike most in someone?

Pushy people.

What is your earliest memory?

Being in the hospital, aged 3 with appendicitis.

What is your biggest luxury?

Buying guitars.

How do you show someone you love them?

Just by being there for them.

Culture

The New Old Laguna: Casa Loma Beach Hotel

October 29, 2024

After a drive down California’s coastline, the entrance to Casa Loma Beach Hotel from the street side seemed unassuming. But when we walked in, we were met with a beautifully curated space with the ocean as its backdrop. Located on Main Beach, the hotel is steps away from the cliffs and beaches Laguna is famous for. The atmosphere was relaxed but luxurious, laid-back but inviting.

Underneath an impressively large sculpture carved onto the lobby wall, we met John from Marc & Rose, the hospitality group responsible for the hotel’s renovation. While it was initially just meant to be a quick intro, in his excitement and eagerness, he couldn’t help but explain the specific design choices and partners that developed the art-focused environment: overall design by Electric Bowery; artwork by LAND; hand painted signage by Joe Swec; custom radio station curated by Uncanned. Elements that enveloped all the senses, but never overwhelmed.

This careful balance created the aura the hotel sought to encompass: what Laguna might have felt like when it was still a bohemian surf-town, attracting those who appreciated craft and nature, but in an elevated and refined way.

Text by Justine Hwang
Photos Jesper D. Lund

While most of the weekend was left free to enjoy on our own, the highlight of the opening was the immersive theater experience, performed by IAMA Theater Company. Earlier, John had alluded to the premise: a funeral for Cappy, a fictional character meant to represent the old Laguna (pre-reality tv show fame). Not being a big theater person myself, I wasn’t sold. The dress code was that of the hotel color palette: shades that were reminiscent of the surrounding landscape. After the opening act on the pool deck against the sunset over the beach, we were free to explore around the hotel, visiting each scene however we felt. After my first room / scene, I left in tears. I was completely sold.

We watched scenes of a young love blossoming, adult lovers breaking up, past loves healing old wounds. All while learning about the history of the town and interacting with the hotel spaces in an intimate way. Sitting in various rooms and suites, appreciating the hand woven tapestries and soft lighting from the organically shaped lamps. Being warmed by the fireplace on the terrace once the sun had gone down. Continuously moving between the indoors and outdoors, making nature as much of a feature as the interior.

The following morning, breakfast was served on the terrace with stunningly vast views of the ocean. We spotted dolphins following a pair of paddle boarders out on the water. While there is not much that is better than a cloudless sky full of sun and the sound of waves crashing on the shore, Casa Loma works to enhance these simple joys through all its fine details.

Culture

Backstage at Suero: III Points

Originally launching as a legendary Basel party back in late 2021 as a real life extension of Miami boys Nick León and DJ Python's underground dembow takeover, suero officially hit the big stage this past weekend through the tireless efforts of Miami mainstay Caterina Haddad.

The party's big tent approach to a fusion of Latin sounds and bleeding-edge club music manifested with iconoclasts like Arca, Isabella Lovestory and Bad Gyal, but the 13-hour run also included Rick Ross, Yung Lean & Bladee and Python's IDM and downtempo collaboration with Ana Roxanne, Natural Wonder Beauty Concept. Of course, Miami and suero love to party, and this instinct manifested most clearly in Nick León's heady, masterful live A/V collaboration with Ezra Miller and Snow Stripper riotous, 3 AM finale. Where it goes from here is anyone's guess—long live the unpredictable suero sound.