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The Mojave Project

The Mojave Project is an experimental transmedia documentary initiative by Kim Stringfellow exploring the physical, geological and cultural landscape of the Mojave Desert. The Mojave Project reconsiders and establishes multiple ways in which to interpret this unique and complex landscape, through association and connection of seemingly unrelated sites, themes, and subjects thus creating a speculative and immersive experience for its audience.

Mojave Desert
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A wide image of the Hoover Dam, a concrete dam holding water from the Colorado River behind it. Surrounding the dam and river is a dry, red and brown mountainous landscape with electric wires crossing across the dam.
An essential primer detailing how overuse, megadrought and climate change are threatening the Colorado River's dwindling water supply throughout the West and Mexico.
A colorful topographic geography map of the Amargosa Chaos.
Late geologists Bennie Troxel and Lauren Wright's signature accomplishment was their mapping of the Amargosa Chaos in 1984. But perhaps what will resonate the most is the mentorship they've given to young geologists and how their imprint will carry on generations after.
A mushroom cloud from a nuclear detonation.
The effects of nuclear testing have been devastating. What is more alarming is how the United States government has downplayed its effects and perpetrated a monstrous public health deception, especially to marginalized rural communities.
A ghost grid of the desolate federally-held lands of the Mojave Desert. | Kim Stringfellow
Jackrabbit Homesteading and California City are examples of two uniquely bizarre mid-century development patterns found in the Mojave Desert.
Matt Leivas, Sr. singing at the Old Woman Mountains Preserve photographed by Kim Stringfellow in 2019.
The Asi Huviav or Salt Song is a vast interconnected ritual song map describing the sacred geography of the Nuwuvi people (Southern Paiute).
C-3PO and R2-D2 walk toward Jabba's Palace, which was filmed in Death Valley's Twenty Mule Team Canyon for this scene in “Episode VI: Return of the Jedi.” Lucasfilm, LTD.
Virtually pressed up against the northern boundaries of Los Angeles, the Mojave Desert can be considered Hollywood’s backyard if not its backlot. See the Mojave take on multiple guises in well-loved movies throughout the decades.
Jim Wharff looking at papers beside the Middle Camp claim | Kim Stringfellow
On a smaller scale, recreational prospecting is thriving throughout the West — especially in its desert regions.
An abandoned mine in Goldfield, Nevada. | Kim Stringfellow.
A historical gold boom has resulted in thousands of abandoned mines spread across the Mojave desert that have grave environmental repercussions.
The Yellow Aster Mine in Randsburg, CA | Kim Stringfellow. January 2019
Exploration of the Mojave Desert was directly driven by the desire to locate gold. These hell-bent gold seekers would bring about enduring cultural transformations and irreversible environmental legacies within California and other western states.
Dan Kreigh, a senior structural engineer at Scaled Composites, displays his scale model of SpaceShipOne. | Daniel Housman
Mojave, CA (pop. 4,238) has been the center of civilian-led, commercial space travel since 2004. Astronautics companies are now reaching into space in their effort to provide commercial spaceflight to those who can afford it.
Carl Dennis Buell's painting of Chris Clarke with his dog Zeke accompanied by Nothrotheriops shastensis — the Shasta ground sloth. | © Carl Dennis Buell.
Author/activist Chris Clarke outlines the cultural and ecological history of the iconic Joshua Tree—while highlighting the profound symbiotic relationships that sustains this unusual plant species now threatened by climate change.
Above: The entrance to the El Pakiva Cavern at Providence Mountains State Recreation Area. | Photo: Kim Stringfellow
Edwin Corle, a popular mid-century American author fantastically embellishes Jack Mitchell’s first descent into Cave of the Winding Stair in this suspenseful narrative intertwining references to modernist painter Paul Klee, female anatomy and space-time.
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