The Black Rock Desert, located in northwestern Nevada, has been the site
of many human activities, from ancient hunters to the arrival of the
pioneers to present-day motion pictures, land-speed records, commercial
photography, and a weeklong art festival. This book focuses on the art
history of the Black Rock Desert playa up until 1990, laying the
groundwork for the larger, participatory art events of recent history.
Events include art from the Lassen Trail; The Winning of Barbara Worth,
starring Gary Cooper, in 1926; and a wild horse roundup as documented by
Gus Bundy. Also included are recent works of art such as Doobie Lane and
a croquet match in which trucks were used as mallets. Historical images
feature the towns of Sulphur and Gerlach, nearby ranches, and the Empire
gypsum mine.