BIG Art
or
Roadside Art in West Texas
Prada Marfa
1.4 miles outside of Valentine on right side of Hwy., 20 miles northwest of Marfa. |
| exterior of Prada Marfa art installation in Valentine, Texas |
Installed in 2005, the permanent Prada Marfa sculptural art work was made by Berlin-based artists Elmgreen and Dragset. It is filled with shoes and other luxury items from Prada’s 2005 collection. But leave your credit card in your wallet--this store never opens. For you Instagrammers, hashtags and @ addresses are provided on a plaque. At some point, visitors started attaching love locks to an adjacent fence much like is done on bridges in Europe.
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| exterior of Prada Marfa art installation in Valentine, Texas |
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| love locks and other things on fence adjacent to Prada Marfa art installation in Valentine, Texas |
“Giant” movie set art installation
On Wyatt Ranch, west of Marfa. |
| "Giant" movie set art installation in Marfa, Texas |
Just a little farther down the road from Prada Marfa, you’ll see this giant art installation by California-based artist John Cerney. Situated on the ranch where part of the movie was filmed, this "Giant" movie set art installation includes huge cutouts of Elizabeth Taylor and James Dean (this was his last film), another of Rock Hudson in a yellow convertible, and in the background a set of the film’s house. Dennis Hopper was also in the movie, but he is missing from this display. Music by Michael Nesmith emanates from fake rocks. The overall experience is quite exciting.
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| Rock Hudson in yellow convertible on "Giant" movie set art installation in Marfa, Texas |
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| James Dean on "Giant" movie set art installation in Marfa, Texas |
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| Elizabeth Taylor on "Giant" movie set art installation in Marfa, Texas |
World’s Smallest “Target” Store
On US 90, west of Marathon. |
| woman prepares to shop at World's Smallest "Target" Store in Marathon, Texas |
Just look for the red Target sign to find the last of the big three roadside art installations. Titled the World's Smallest "Target" Store, this tiny building--a former switch station building for the railroad--mimics a Target store, complete with red shopping cart and basket, but you won’t be doing any shopping here. Colorful graffiti covers the inside, but be careful in there--it has been known to harbor a hiding rattlesnake or two. The building abuts a train track, so sometimes you’re lucky enough to see one pass by. No artist has claimed this project.
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| graffiti inside World's Smallest "Target" Store in Marathon, Texas |
More things to do in Marfa.
Itinerary for road trip through West Texas.
Things to do in El Paso.
Great ideas for travel adventures in the U.S.
images and video ©2020 Carole Terwilliger Meyers
What a quirky yet fascinating collection of art works you've uncovered! The Giant one is very cool - the music that goes with it would make it extra special!
ReplyDeleteYou get to the coolest places. Thanks for the art tour of Valentine and Marfa. Love these installations!
ReplyDeleteYou introduced us to quite some quirky art in the wide open farmland of Texas. Who would have expected this?
ReplyDeleteWe will be passing through Marfa on a road trip later this year. I knew about the Prada store but not the other two. I have been intrigued by Marfa since learning about the Marfa Lights.
ReplyDeleteWhat a crack-up. You captured this place so well. If I ever get in the area, will have to make sure I don't miss Marfa!
ReplyDeleteMarfa and this roadside art should be on every art-lovers bucket list.
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