The Social Pool is a secret man-made oasis located in the middle of the Mojave Desert in California. Although a tiny structure, it provides the perfect amount of relief to beat the heat. The only catch is that it can't be accessed just by stumbling upon it, which seems to defeat the purpose. Instead, to access the Social Pool, a person must get the longitude and latitude points from the MAK Center for Art and Architecture in West Hollywood as well as the key to open the pool’s cover.
Available 24 hours, the Social Pool was created by Austrian artist Alfredo Barsuglia. Each person that uses it must bring a gallon of water to replenish the pool. A description of the Social Pool reads, "It thus understands itself as the product of an economy in which privacy and immateriality have been fully commodified."
Secret Desert Pools
Social Pool by Alfredo Barsuglia Requires a Key to Use
Trend Themes
1. Private Recreational Spots - There is an opportunity for the hospitality industry to create exclusive and private recreational spots that require a special access key or code, providing consumers with an escape from crowded public spaces.
2. Immaterial Experiences - With the Social Pool being a product of an economy where privacy and immateriality is a commodity, other industries can explore the possibility of offering intangible experiences that can be rented or accessed exclusively.
3. Location-based Experiences - The rise in location-based experiences provides an opportunity for businesses to create unique, secret spots that can only be accessed through specific coordinates or information, providing customers with a sense of adventure and exclusivity.
Industry Implications
1. Hospitality - The hospitality industry can create private recreational spots for guests who want exclusive experiences.
2. Entertainment - The entertainment industry can explore the possibility of creating secret and exclusive experiences that can offer immaterial perks such as bragging rights.
3. Tourism - Tourism businesses can market and promote location-based experiences to the adventurous and curious consumer base who are keen on having exclusive experiences.