Marfa, TX

When most people heard we were going to Marfa the question was always WHY? There is a two part answer. One, we would have stopped somewhere in west Texas for the night and if not Marfa than probably a truck stop. Second, they have art! Those who know me well know I love art, particularly modern art.

Marfa is home to the Judd Foundation, Chianti Foundation, and Marfa Mystery Lights. The Judd and Chianti Foundations were started to preserve the work and life of Donald Judd, a well regarded minimalist artist. The Judd Foundation showcases "The Block" in downtown Marfa which was home to Judd's studio, apartment, home, and library. Billy and I took a tour of this space and really got the feeling for how he believed in symatry and purposeful placement of objects. Unfortunately we couldn't stay a second day to tour the Chianti Foundation buildings which really are the primary reason for going, but we were able to see a few of his concrete blocks from outside the fence.

Judd's concrete block installation.

This photo is of "The Block" where Judd used to live. I snapped this picture before I found out we couldn't take photos inside. It was of his interior courtyard. The hanger in the back is his library.

Besides Donald Judd's work Marfa has other modern art galleries which we were only able to visit a few of due to time. After touring for the day we went out to dinner at Maiya's which had incredible Italian food. The New York Times wrote an article a few years ago about Marfa and its culinary accomplishments and Maiya's didn't dissapoint. They served local food, fresh bread, and homemade noodles. It was one of the top meals of our trip.

We walked around the Hotel Paisano which is the only other hotel of note in Marfa. It was opposite in style to the Thunderbird but a rea; Texas treat. They were shooting the Fossil brand summer lifestyle photos in the hotel.

It isn't to often you see a copy of this weekly paper.

We spent the night at a hotel called the Thunderbird which had a retro vibe. I loved the fact you could borrow their bikes to ride around town or just enjoy the modern simplicity of your room. Marfa may have only had about 2,400 people but the homes and quirkyness were a treat.

Marfa also had a great sunset so we stopped and took photos of what may have been our last Texas sunset.

I also mentioned the Mystery lights. There is a lookout about 9 miles east of Marfaan where people say you can see floating lights on the horizon. Billy read that they believe it is from cars traveling on a road since the frequency matchs that of the headlights. Either way we didn't catch any glimses of lights. We did however see total blackness. When driving back towards town we stopped the car on the highway, turned off the engine, and experienced a west Texas blackout. The absence of any light, even that of the moon, made it so neither Billy or I could see each other in the car. An unsettling feeling to put it lightly.

The following morning we left Marfa and headed on the road to Santa Fe. One place we stopped, which was high on my list was PradaMarfa. It is an art installation about 30 minutes west of Marfa which is a replica of a Prada store. It looks like something you would see on Rodeo Drive.