Searching the phrase “the only other thing is nothing” will most likely reveal this artwork by MIDABI (aka, Michael Daniel Birnberg).
The first Internet hits may refer to a pristine version installed in 2021 in New York City’s Union Square, but the Salton Sea of California has its very own weathered version from March 2019.
At the time of its installation for the 2019 Bombay Beach Biennale, Scott London of the SF GATE wrote, “Artist Midabi’s installation “The Only Other” appeared to hover above the tranquil waters of the Salton Sea….”
Four years ago, it may have appeared to hover above the tranquil Sea. But since those mild days of March, the wind has battered it, the sun has scorched it, and the Sea has left it behind.
Variants of The Only Other and a few other Bombay Beach artworks.
The Salton Sea is an incredible place. It’s widely recognized as a human-made disaster. It’s been well-documented by scientists, artists, and historians. It looms large in water politics and exemplifies monumental consequences for human mistakes.
The Salton Sea is dying, but on a midwinter day it can be a perfectly beautiful place to photograph.
Despite the ease in finding interesting photographs, the Sea is a challenge. It’s famous, of course. It’s as cliché in popular culture as Burning Man, just with a longer and more diverse history. It’s been extensively photographed.
Do we need more photographs of it? And for what? A selfie or two?
I don’t know. But when the light is right, it’s beautiful.