Marfa - A gem in the desert

While being in New York I am trying to experience and discover parts of the US that I might have not known about, or wouldn’t have the possibility to visit as easily from Europe.

I had never heard of Marfa before deciding to turn my trip to Texas into a trip to Marfa. Originally the main goal of the Texas trip was to visit Dallas and the Kimbell Art Museum, but Marfa changed everything. Being an architect this was such a gem to find out about, so now I am going to spread the word about this place.

Marfa is a small town in the middle of the Texan desert. It is about a 6 or 7 hours drive from Austin (which was the drive we embarked on) or probably around 3 hours from El Paso. The town has become a center for art since Donald Judd discovered it in the early 70s. He came to Marfa, searching for authenticity after he was unhappy with the way art was curated in New York. Judd bought 22 of the buildings in and around town and turned them into his home, office and studio. He also started a foundation dedicated to showing art his way, The Chinati Foundation.

Personally I think the foundation is an absolute must visit as it showcases some of the most famous pieces produced by Judd in close interaction with the landscape and architecture surrounding it. But with that said, I also found it very interesting to learn more about Donald Judds architectural endeavors by taking the studio tour. It has to be said that if you visit Marfa, you should embark on all tours. It is worth it.

Ever since Donald Judd came to Marfa, the art scene has flourished. Galleries have opened and artists come to do residencies and create art in the inspirational desert setting. The growing art scene also brought with it the development of the town and although it is still small, you can find some of the nicest art galleries, shops, restaurants and bars in Marfa. It also is the host of several festivals throughout the year. It has become a truly special town, a true gem.