Landers, California

© Ava Alamshah

The last image was taken by Amber. The Louise to my Thelma. 

xx

this land is your land

this land is my land

all photos © Ava Alamshah 

xo

desert babies

all images © Ava Alamshah

Dixie

Dixie working on an airplane, during WWII

picture source

Teasing photographer, and former silent film star, Harold Lloyd. Lloyd also photographed the real Monroe & Bettie Page!

Photos of young Dixie I found randomly on google. Mostly tumblr...

The Marilyn Monroe of Burlesque, Dixie Evans, died this month on August 3rd. I found out a week ago. She was 86 years old. 

I had the pleasure of meeting her in 2004/2005 while I was a student at CalArts. Her ranch in Helendale, CA was one of the first stops during an epic road trip that would lead my classmates and I to The Spiral Jetty. I will never forget Andrew Freeman's "Into the Field". Those excursions into vast desert lands were pure magic. Youthful, fiery magic. 

I shot this image of her in 2005.  I titled it, To Dixie, with luv, xx Ava. Soon after, she would leave her ranch home and head out to Vegas.  Her Miss Exotic World Ranch was a time capsule in the desert sun. 

Rest in Peace

 More about her passing here.

your friend,

ava

Roadside Attractions

C A B A Z O N

On the way to this year's Coachella fest, we made a pit stop.  As a little girl, seeing Pee Wee's Big Adventure forever ingrained images of gigantic dinosaurs, biker gangs, and Large Marge in my head.  To this day, Large Marge still freaks me out.  **Shivers**

When Pee Wee gets dropped off at  the desert dinosaurs, he meets Simone and they watch the sunrise together.  Probably my second most favorite scene in that film, and  this scene, being my first.

I had no idea that Cabazon was an actual place until around 2003, while heading towards Joshua Tree, I spotted the giant t-rex in the distance.  I was so excited and vowed that one day, with more time, I would visit these creatures.  So glad I finally got to explore.  The verdict?  

B I Z A R R E,  in the very best way.  We found out that it's a creationist museum, trying to debunk Darwin's theory of evolution!  Heavy stuff.

 

Check out those chompers ! ! !

your friend,

ava

All images  © 2012 Ava Alamshah

 

Coachella, Old & New

C O A C H E L L A

 

2 0 0 7

A couple of entries back, I wrote about my birthday trip to Coachella.  You can read that here.  I realize that there are so many posts about this desert oasis, yet I still feel compelled to write about my own experience.  I've always been nostalgic, and turning 30 has forced me to reflect so much more about my life. I look back fondly on how exciting and dramatic my 20s were.  I learned a lot through these experiences. About true friendships, and love.  It feels good to be 30.  I still have no idea what I am doing, but I can say that with complete confidence.  Life is good. 

2 0 0 7

2 0 1 2

2 0 0 7

 

2 0 1 2

2 0 0 7

 

 

2 0 1 2

 

Absolutely, one of the best performers there.  He played this favorite of mine and he wore gold sneakers.  We are kindred spirits, Jimmy and I.

your friend,

ava

All images  © 2007-2012 Ava Alamshah