After departing Big Bend National Park, we avoided the interstate and opted for the scenic route. I had mentioned to Shane that I wanted to see this funny building I know from Instagram but didn’t want to plan a trip around it. Coincidentally, as we were route planning for the day ahead, Shane realized we would drive right by it. Prada Marfa.
So we packed up the cabin, loaded up the trailer, and I forgot to wear an Instagram photoshoot-worthy outfit…
WHAT IS PRADA MARFA?
Prada Marfa is an art installation on the side of U.S. Highway 90. It’s literally on the side of the road and what you don’t see are the trucks whizzing past as you (and several other people) try to nail a perfect Instagram shot.
HISTORY of prada marfa
According to Atlas Obscura, “The brainchild of Berlin-based artistic team Elmgreen and Dragset, Prada Marfa was meant to be a “pop architectural land art project.” Built of a biodegradable adobe-like substance, the building is meant to slowly melt back into the Earth, serving as a surrealist commentary on Western materialism.”
Interestingly, “it was only a few days days before vandals converged on the site, breaking the windows, looting the store, and graffiting the walls. Elmgreen and Dragset came in and repaired the building, but this time around they’ve taken precautions: all of the store’s Prada wares are heavily alarmed, and stronger windows have been installed to protect the interior from forced entry. Additionally, the handbags have no bottoms and all of the shoes are right-footed.”
WHAT TO DO AT PRADA MARFA
Prada Marfa is not actually in Marfa, but in Valentine, Texas. Marfa itself, which is just over 30 miles away from the installation, is actually a funky little town. Just from the highway, you could tell it has an interesting art scene. Valentine isn’t much of a stop either. As far as destinations go, this pitstop is truly just a roadside attraction. Cars line up across the highway and wait their turn to snap a photo.
What do you do at Prada Marfa? Take your photo and keep on truckin’.
So without further ado, here are my best efforts at being an influencer. Please enjoy my attempt at posing (and managing an uncooperative dog)…
P.S. “Pitstops” will be bite-sized posts about one or two small things we find along the way.