Art that Sets Us Apart
With its fiercely individualistic streak and proud history of doing things its own way, Texas didn’t just accept the avant-garde—it ran toward it with open arms and a sideways grin. Part of a proud, offbeat heritage, these creative artworks have flourished into renowned tourist attractions. Featured on social media and celebrated in songs, photographs, videos, television, and movies, this is what happens when folly and fame intersect.
PRADA MARFA: YOU CAN STOP, BUT YOU CAN’T SHOP
It made perfect sense to Scandinavian artists Michael Elmgreen and Ingar Dragset: construct a luxury designer boutique in the middle of the desert that is not actually a store and not actually in Marfa.
With the help of Art Production Fund and Ballroom Marfa, two art organizations, the artists found a rancher who was willing to donate land in the town of Valentine–population 200. The project was named after the town of Marfa, known in the art world as the one-time home of famous minimalist artist Donald Judd.
In 2005, the structure, modeled after a Prada boutique, was completed. Though Prada did not commission the project, their founder, a contemporary art enthusiast, gave permission to use the Prada logo and donated merchandise for display, which can be seen through the locked door.
The night it opened, the building was vandalized. Thieves stole all the Prada merchandise and spray-painted graffiti on the walls. After repairing and restocking, a security system was installed, which many saw as a nod to today’s society.
A 2013 threat by the Texas Department of Transportation to remove the structure, deeming it illegal roadside advertising, was thwarted by granting the installation museum status. Through it all, tourists have eagerly embraced this powerful statement, thought of as a commentary on modern life, a time capsule, and a statement on high priced commercialism.
THE CADILLAC RANCH: JOYRIDE IN AMARILLO
Only in Amarillo, can you find 10 Cadillac cars buried in the dirt, nose down, with their tail fins proudly held high (previous page).
In 1974, The Ant Farm—a group of San Francisco hippies—and silent partner, Amarillo billionaire Stanley March, III came up with an idea for this public art installation, which pays tribute to the American car culture by highlighting the famous Cadillac tail fins.
Inspired by America’s infatuation with road trips, the initial site was located directly on Route 66, west of Amarillo. Long before sleek interstates cut across the map, Route 66 was the open road—a legendary lifeline of American adventure and migration. The highway begins in Chicago and crosses eight states before ending in Santa Monica, California.
When the highway was realigned, the installation was moved to another spot in Amarillo. Now, rather than just viewing the artistic grouping, tourists are invited to bring spray paint and leave their mark on the cars. Though their artistic comment will only last until the next spray cans take aim, the creative activity remains an exciting collaborative gesture.
I LOVE YOU SO MUCH WALL: AUSTIN’S LOVE LETTER
It started out as just a few simple words painted on a wall. Passersby shared in the spirit of the fun, sweet, uplifting message. Soon, lines formed to have photos taken, and its location–the side wall of Jo’s Coffee at 1300 South Congress Avenue–officially became the most famous street corner in Austin.
It was originally a personal message from local musician, Amy Cook, to her partner, Liz Lambert, majority owner of Jo’s, back in 2010. South Congress Avenue–also known as SOCO–is known for its high foot traffic, which helped the wall gain in popularity. Through the years, the public love letter has also cultivated a sense of community in Austin.
MEOW WOLF: PROVOCATIVE PLAYFULNESS
Picture artists being given carte blanche to manifest their innermost psychedelic dreams in a cavernous space.
In 2008, a collective of artists in Santa Fe joined forces to publicly display their work. Today, the creative minds of an artistic staff collaborate in a range of media–sculpture, fabrication, digital art, writing, film, and music–into “a mind bending, interactive, immersive, explorable art experience.” Houston and Grapevine have now joined the other five Meow Wolf locations in the United States.
In one its famous displays, you quickly realize the only way to continue through the home is to either open the refrigerator and walk through it or open the clothes dryer and slide down it. Part jungle gym, part haunted house and part children’s museum, visitors of every age can easily become enthralled with the level of creativity and downright outlandishness.
Just when you wonder if the best way back to reality may be via the bar, their neon-colored cocktails topped with cotton candy remind you of their slogan “We celebrate the unexpected because it is the doorway to discovery.”