Marfa 2025

 Hi,

After a very long and hair-raising drive from Dallas to Marfa yesterday, we finally arrived at our hotel - the Hotel Saint George.

Today we took a look around. It is a very quiet town with a certain number of buildings in it that Judd used and 'clarified', which meant he removed lights and other elements that distract from the simplicity of the space. Let's just say he was a control freak and wanted everything to be done with concern for the light and the spaces around the artwork. We took a tour of the Art Spaces that make up the studios where he conducted different parts of his life. I couldn't take a photo in any of them so I had to get them off the internet. I also added descriptions from the internet as well - have a look.

I took these first two of some buildings in Marfa.

We signed up for the tour in this building. It is the print building

Now the tour starts in the Whyte Building

In 1989, Judd purchased three buildings along Oak Street on five and a half lots of property in downtown Marfa. Constructed in 1925 as a storage barn for the adjacent store, Winn’s Five and Dime, the Whyte Building was renovated by Judd beginning in 1990.

The structure was renovated by Judd for the installation of his paintings from 1960 to 1962 along with examples of furniture by architect and designer Rudolph Schindler.

Early painting by Judd

Another- the middle light part is a three-dimensional object

This is the Cobb House

Super early paintings by Judd

Originally a single-family residence, Judd renovated the Cobb House for the installation of his paintings dating from 1956 to 1958. Installed throughout the house are furniture pieces collected by Judd, including examples of early 20th Century Swedish furniture. 

The Art Studio

And again

In 1990, Judd purchased a former Safeway grocery store located in downtown Marfa. He converted the 6,000-square foot building into a studio, removing the extant machinery, dropping the ceiling, and installing skylights. It remains installed with long worktables and shelving for prototypes, material samples, and artworks in a variety of states.

The Architecture Office-

Judd was very interested in architecture, and so this last space featured numerous unfinished architectural projects. Or they could be renovations he was working on.

In January 1990, Judd purchased the Glascock Building located in downtown Marfa. Built at the turn of the twentieth century, the 5,000-square-foot building was originally operated as a store and later housed various commercial businesses.

The Chianti Building- This building houses the show of a number of artists that Judd was interested in. He curated the shows there.

There was a John Chamblerlain show up 

Did you know that Dan Flavin is Donald Judd's son? And now his daughter runs the foundation. I didn't know that!

Anyway, that was my first day in Marfa. Tomorrow we will go on another tour and then drive to San Antonio. Then we can get to Houston on Thursday in time to catch our flights home. 

Hugs to you,

Susan