In the heart of the Chihuahua Desert, an hour from the Mexican border, the small town of Marfa, Texas, has been a real magnet for artists from all walks of life for 50 years. A strange, strange place, where healing has a place.
On the road to Marfa, in the middle of nowhere, a Prada luxury brand store pops up, where nothing is for sale. In fact, it is a work of art that announces the particularity of this city of 2000 souls where there are at least 19 galleries and visual arts exhibitions.
creative crossroads
It all started 50 years ago, at a disused military base where German prisoners from World War II were taken. For copyright reasons, we can’t show much of what we see there, as the Chinati Foundation manages the legacy of Donald Judd, a New York minimalist artist whose creations are displayed on the site. from the base. In a way, he made Marfa a real crossroads of creation.
Tourists came from all over to discover the unique forms of concrete, metal built into the displayexplanation by John Karst, guide of the Chinati Foundation.
” Donald Judd really made a connection here that led to the creation of this unique artistic community of Marfa. “
So, in Marfa, it is whispered that one of the four refers to himself as an actor.
Of all these creators, there’s artist Julie Speed, who lived here 15 years ago. His paintings are sold everywhere for tens of thousands of dollars.
The fact that the curious adventures Marfa at certain times of the year after leaving the small town is good for Julie Speed, who prefers calm. Nobody here. For me, it’s isolation. I want to have space and not have to do anything socially.
Tourists flock and then all leave. Then, like bushes circling the street. And everyone who lives here is breathing easy.
Being an artist is far from big cities
Montrealer Magalie Guérin also chose Marfa. I live in a small town, but we are in the desert, it totally impresses me. This is a big change, especially for someone who always lives in big cities. When I say New York, it’s: “Ah New York!” After that, Chicago: “Ah Chicago!” And there, Marfa, people say: “Uh, what?”
An abstract artist, he decided to live here after residing at the Chinati Foundation. I feel like every artist needs to come here at least once to visit. Now, you don’t have to be in big cities to be part of the movement. Life can be more pleasant, simple, beautiful, in terms of the environment.
So muse ba si Marfa? Here, its residents agree.
” Since I came here in 2018, the colors of my paintings have changed a lot. “
Everyone has asked me how my painting has evolved since Marfa, Julie Speed explains. Now I’m better at painting clouds.
Marfa, in the evening as well
Marfa, the actress, also lives at night. In the dark, in the middle of a field, Rob Mazurek, a musician from Chicago who plays around the world, plays one of his musical pieces on the trumpet as the giant screens emit a tangle of psychedelic color . He also chose the city of Texas.
The idea of being more spontaneous and serious in creation appeals to me here. It is a city of 2,000 people, but it is incredibly rich in culture, not only in visual arts, but also in literature and music. It’s really inspiring and I’m not leaving ittestifies to the musician.
Away from the hustle and bustle of big cities, Marfa continues to be a magnet for artists. A corner of the timeless country, where culture remains and shines, in the middle of the desert.
Source: Radio-Canada
