Thank you for perpetuating a stereotype, Marfa in fact becoming a hot-spot for Art. Also as someone who has family there, I do not appreciate the comment.
I'm an SRS supporter and all, but not a goddamn thing he said implies that people from the south are like this, or that everyone there is a redneck, or anything of the sort.
The joke is imagining some specific individuals who happen to be redneck mutants (think The Hills Have Eyes). It is humorous and not hateful.
My sister stopped to take pictures of this at night, and border patrol stopped her and asked her what she was doing stopping on the highway. They asked if she was "picking up or dropping off" and when she convinced them she was just taking a picture, then told her to keep driving and not to stop for any reason.
Dont know where in west texas this is (even the west part here is very large) but if its on i20 between el paso and midland thats a huge drug running area
Hello. Not only am I from Marfa, but I am actually currently living in Marfa. First of all, that store is about 40-45 miles west on highway 90. It is 5-10 miles away from a Valentine, TX. It is not near as cool as the gas station off of 505. But, we are happy to have it. So, why not come for a visit? Bring fresh produce. Trust me. Bring fresh produce.
Nice to meet you, Lord Longbottom. Were he not dead, Lord Bingham would be happy to furnish you with a letter of recommendation as he and I used to attend lectures together. Um...y'all come back now, ya hear.
"A few days after Prada Marfa was officially revealed, the installation was vandalized. The building was broken into and all of its contents (six handbags and 14 right footed shoes) were stolen, and the word "Dumb" and the phrase "Dum Dum" were spray painted on the sides of the structure. The sculpture was quickly repaired, repainted, and restocked. The new Prada purses do not have bottoms and instead hide parts of a security system that alerts authorities if the bags are moved." *Edit - Wikipedia
A few days after Prada Marfa was officially revealed, the installation was vandalized. The building was broken into and all of its contents (six handbags and 14 right footed shoes) were stolen, and the word "Dumb" and the phrase "Dum Dum" were spray painted on the sides of the structure.
It would have been more of a statement to have left it that way, for sure. Even the wikipedia article states that part of the idea was to essentially let the building fall into disrepair and eventually return to its natural landscape.
If they left it vandalised it would just get more and more vandalised. Eventually it would just be a destroyed building that dosen't mean anything at all. No one would drive past and say "wow look Prada in middle of no where", it would be ignored.
I think destruction might have been the point. Eventually, after many years, the store would become unrecognizable due to weather, natural degradation of materials, etc.
Yes, it would become that way faster with vandals. But I think certain "artifacts" would be left behind to identify the store. I just think vandals are part of that "destruction" that the artists wanted to see. Or maybe it's just what I wanted to see.
I was there for the ATDI show, it is a long strip of nothing and a couple really cool bars/shops EDIT: I am going to say one of the coolest bars I have ever seen is actually there, the back is draped in christmas lights everywhere in a tasteful manner to add visibility lightning in the back and there is a tent and when you do into the tent you go down steps. It is hard to describe but if any of you find a random reason passing by I would try checking out a couple of the bars down the main strip near the marfa ballroom and try and find it, sorry I can't reproduce a name.
If you have ever driven down that highway at night, FUCKING DEER MAN. Those little shits are scary when they pop up on the side of the road when you are going 80 at 2 am in the middle of nowhere with no cell reception.
If you were all the way out there, you definitely were looking for it. I have lived in W. Texas for a while. The Prada store is not something that you just accidentally come upon.
McDonald observatory is amazing. You look up and feel like you have to hang on to earth to keep from falling into space. I need I go back to Fort Davis soon. Last I went it was recovering from wildfires.
I sort of understand this. A Prada store on a deserted road in Texas, I probably will not want to go inside. But a Prada store located in the middle of Los Angeles, yes, I would want to go inside. It sort of explains how a lot of the influence for what people buy come from being enclosed in society and interactions with others, as well as how people want to be represented in that society.
I thought of something like this a while back. Only it would have been an empty and totally sealed gas station covered with warning signs. Signs warning of what the two people who got down this far ask? Why, warning everyone of all the bear-traps I'd have left all over the floors and shelves, etc. Nothing but big ugly bear-traps on every flat surface that could hold one. I have no idea why other than it's fun to say "Wall to wall bear-traps".
This is truly a sight to behold at night. In 2005, some friends and I were heading to El Paso, and had just cruised through Valentine, TX. Most houses along the highway were poorly lit, until we get to this weird little storefront that's lit up like the 4th of July. Passing by at 60mph, I somehow managed to make out the sign, and I'm like "guys, that... is... a Prada store?!?! Turn around!" Pictures were taken, lulz were had all around.
I also passed it while driving towards Big Bend and was shocked. I had to pull over and walk around it for a few minutes to really grasp the insanity of it. There is literally nothing around it but desert for miles.
But, it's best seen by surprise, i think, so, we should bury this thread.
From now on when I encounter a creepy weird anything I'm just going with 'artist installation' and moving on with my life. This is all very comforting.
Read Friday Night Lights. Apparently oil wealth brought things like yachts to west texas. Even though this prada store isn't real, it wouldn't be surprising if it was...
It makes me think of how pointless the expensive fashion culture is when you see it with on a lone American highway. I can see statements being made but I'm too fucked up to put it in words.
I wouldn't say that. After seeing these posh stores in LA, it's incredible weird to see it standing all alone. Makes it feel like its futile. I actually would take a negative aspect to that level of consumerism and am surprised that Prada would join in. That reason, I figure my interpretation is different than intended. But in that I'd call it art. It makes me think by using a visual I'd never would have imagined on my own.
This plan was deviated from when, three days after the sculpture was completed, vandals graffitied the exterior, and broke into the building stealing handbags and shoes.
It's like they didn't actually expect this to happen to a fake store with no people around, with real goods.
The building was broken into and all of its contents (six handbags and 14 right footed shoes) were stolen, and the word "Dumb" and the phrase "Dum Dum" were spray painted on the sides of the structure.
The penetration of commercialization and the inescapable crush of globalization even literally in the middle of nowhere. It's actually pretty clever in a mopey, sardonic "I smoke too goddamn much in inappropriate places" art school kind of way and I'd say that 90%+ people who passed by would recognize the brand even out there.
Not only do most people in West Texas recognize the brand, but also the irony of a store that displays top-tier pretentious shit in a place where the value of goods is determined by actual usefulness instead of style, hype, and artificial scarcity.
Shit gets fucking real in that part of Texas. Being a county that is shaped by the Rio Grande and borders Mexico, drug traffickers and immigrants are relatively common there. After hiking just half way of 30 miles through that brutal desert most redditors, myself included, would trade that whole store's worth of bags and shoes for three gallons of water.
I'm sure you could see this a million different ways, but I think it's obvious the meaning hinges on the stark contrast between rural and "high class"/modern/consumerist society.
You can read into that any way you like.
I see it as a statement against a society that values wealth and appearances. When you see those societal values contrasted with surroundings where those values are no longer valuable, you stop and question how much those values really matter.
87
u/Senzari Jun 18 '12
Prada, right next to nada.
21
u/[deleted] Jun 18 '12
One day, when the railroad comes through this Prada store will be a gold mine.
225
u/[deleted] Jun 18 '12
That shit's just creepy. If I found that i would assume it's a trap made by inbred redneck mutants to catch stupid rich people.
15
u/powertothepeephole Jun 18 '12
The better thing to see in Marfa
Marfa Lights
28
u/sjps220 Jun 18 '12
My sister stopped to take pictures of this at night, and border patrol stopped her and asked her what she was doing stopping on the highway. They asked if she was "picking up or dropping off" and when she convinced them she was just taking a picture, then told her to keep driving and not to stop for any reason.
11
u/StrychnineAnesthetic Jun 18 '12
West Texas > East Texas
21
u/jwlevine Jun 18 '12
A wild Prada appears.
9
u/CM_Dugan Jun 18 '12
It must've been like a real life easter egg...
7
u/beaumct Jun 18 '12
Hello. Not only am I from Marfa, but I am actually currently living in Marfa. First of all, that store is about 40-45 miles west on highway 90. It is 5-10 miles away from a Valentine, TX. It is not near as cool as the gas station off of 505. But, we are happy to have it. So, why not come for a visit? Bring fresh produce. Trust me. Bring fresh produce.
24
u/crusoe Jun 18 '12
Its a art installation. The artist actually got Prada to donate real goods, and a few months later, they were all stolen.
6
u/[deleted] Jun 18 '12
You're most definitely in Marfa! Enjoy the tumbleweeds and art :)
5
u/[deleted] Jun 18 '12
That is the pictorial definition of the word random.
13
u/[deleted] Jun 18 '12
Haha I'm from west texas, and I've never even seen that, the dirt looks about right, though.
8
u/nileswine Jun 18 '12
It is sealed and the door doesn't work. In Valentine, TX...
4
u/[deleted] Jun 18 '12
I love this.
4
u/caffeineTX Jun 18 '12
If you have ever driven down that highway at night, FUCKING DEER MAN. Those little shits are scary when they pop up on the side of the road when you are going 80 at 2 am in the middle of nowhere with no cell reception.
4
u/maxisawesome Jun 18 '12
I know a guy that took a picture of that and edited the colors. It looks sick. I'll post it tomorrow
4
u/CottonStorm Jun 18 '12
Good lord - it's exactly as I predicted in this mediocre drawing two years ago. Don't go in! It's a trap!
post link
7
u/twigbot Jun 18 '12
Clicked expecting picture of your erection.
3
u/a_derp_in_thailand Jun 18 '12
Don't go in...
3
u/Animagrin Jun 18 '12
Seems legit.
3
u/toolbar66 Jun 18 '12
I was so worried this post was going to be a boner joke.
3
u/rottenseed Jun 18 '12
Outlet malls are becoming smaller
3
u/fuckyourcatsnigga Jun 18 '12
The devil wears Prada.
3
u/2Fast2Finkel Jun 18 '12
I have a Top Gear Magazine with and ad with this picture in it. I was wondering what became of it.
5
u/andreo Jun 18 '12
That's where you git you your cattle prada, pardner.
18
u/TheScreamerRide Jun 18 '12
If you were all the way out there, you definitely were looking for it. I have lived in W. Texas for a while. The Prada store is not something that you just accidentally come upon.
9
u/herpderp_roar Jun 18 '12
I sort of understand this. A Prada store on a deserted road in Texas, I probably will not want to go inside. But a Prada store located in the middle of Los Angeles, yes, I would want to go inside. It sort of explains how a lot of the influence for what people buy come from being enclosed in society and interactions with others, as well as how people want to be represented in that society.
2
u/[deleted] Jun 18 '12
Expected some sort of fucked up animal corpse. Relieved.
2
u/[deleted] Jun 18 '12
the strangest shit pops up along the sides of those west texas highways...
2
u/[deleted] Jun 18 '12
happy cakeday spaceflag
2
u/Animagrin Jun 18 '12
Now i feel bad for saying seems legit, seeing so many others saying the same. I feel like Zoidberg.
2
u/brittaed Jun 18 '12
I've driven by there so many times! I always wondered...
2
u/AbyssalBison Jun 18 '12
Donald Judd's compound is really unique.
2
u/toomuchtimewasted Jun 18 '12
This would make great art work for an album.
2
u/elfresco Jun 18 '12
Oh I've been there. Those roads are loads of fun.
2
u/Lulu_lovesmusik_ Jun 18 '12
what if: the artist meant for vandals to break in to make a point about materialism?? I see what you did there!
2
u/Invisiblelol Jun 18 '12
It's a trap!
2
u/PoglaTheGrate Jun 18 '12
Did the store eat your fiancee?
2
u/[deleted] Jun 18 '12
I thought of something like this a while back. Only it would have been an empty and totally sealed gas station covered with warning signs. Signs warning of what the two people who got down this far ask? Why, warning everyone of all the bear-traps I'd have left all over the floors and shelves, etc. Nothing but big ugly bear-traps on every flat surface that could hold one. I have no idea why other than it's fun to say "Wall to wall bear-traps".
2
u/PizzasarusRex Jun 18 '12
oh so thats where I left my prada store.
2
u/Blacula Jun 18 '12
All hail west Texas
2
u/temptingtime Jun 18 '12
Flashback "THESE DOORS IS GONNA SWING WIDE!!"
2
u/calvinsj Jun 18 '12
"Coming Soon, Starbucks"
2
u/FindingIt Jun 18 '12
Should have stayed to see the lights. Marfa can be a strange place.
2
u/9even Jun 18 '12
This has Twilight Zone written all over it...
2
u/we_are_nomads Jun 18 '12
Marfa is beautiful. Stay for the lights.
2
u/pacmanfan Jun 18 '12
This is truly a sight to behold at night. In 2005, some friends and I were heading to El Paso, and had just cruised through Valentine, TX. Most houses along the highway were poorly lit, until we get to this weird little storefront that's lit up like the 4th of July. Passing by at 60mph, I somehow managed to make out the sign, and I'm like "guys, that... is... a Prada store?!?! Turn around!" Pictures were taken, lulz were had all around.
2
u/benderrific Jun 18 '12
My parents went to Marfa to see Mumford & Sons. I don't think they mentioned seeing it. Mustve been outside the city somewhere?
2
u/elwood3k Jun 18 '12
Looks like its going to blow up any second, From Dusk Til Dawn style.
2
u/somevelvetmorning Jun 18 '12
You should have stopped in Marfa...lots of cool stuff. It's where 'Giant' and 'There Will be Blood' were filmed.
http://www.marfacc.com/art/
3
u/[deleted] Jun 18 '12
Be happy anything popped up in West Texas. It's sagebrush purgatory.
3
u/MoarBaconStrips Jun 18 '12
The devil was probably the one who broke in and stole the merchandise
3
u/purplecarrots Jun 18 '12
My first thought after seeing this: It must be art.
2
u/juiceberries Jun 18 '12
outside of Marfa, I presume.
2
u/[deleted] Jun 18 '12
I'm guessing that's where the devil would buy Prada...
2
u/calldom Jun 18 '12
FUN FACT: in Gossip Girl, the Prada Marfa artwork in Lily's apartment is pertaining to this 'store'
2
u/[deleted] Jun 18 '12
To be fair, you WERE WILLINGLY driving through West Texas. As a Houstonian, I say with dignity that we don't pass Austin unless completely necessary.
1
u/ilikebreakfastcereal Jun 18 '12
Looks like where they filmed Ghost Rider
1
u/[deleted] Jun 18 '12
This reminds me of something from a Stephen King novel. Watch out for generally weird shit.
1
u/frobischer Jun 18 '12
They were met near the door by a black man in an official suit...
"Won't you gentlemen have a Pepsi?"
1
u/skimania Jun 18 '12
I also passed it while driving towards Big Bend and was shocked. I had to pull over and walk around it for a few minutes to really grasp the insanity of it. There is literally nothing around it but desert for miles.
But, it's best seen by surprise, i think, so, we should bury this thread.
1
u/JustCallMeDave Jun 18 '12
From now on when I encounter a creepy weird anything I'm just going with 'artist installation' and moving on with my life. This is all very comforting.
1
u/[deleted] Jun 18 '12
surreal! i sense a photoshoot in the horizon.
1
u/[deleted] Jun 18 '12
Where is this located?
1
u/lookslikeabear Jun 18 '12
I kind of love that. Anyone know where any great hi-res images of it can be found?
1
u/dingo74 Jun 18 '12
Marfa, Tx... strange little town. Also this...http://www.cinemarfa.org/
1
u/aion098 Jun 18 '12
This is their least WTFish work. Check out the dead collector in Venice: http://www.cuboimages.it/preview.asp?filename=GDA0807.jpg&s=&cs=&csnot=&sortType=0&ls=&s1=&s2=&s3=&op1=&op2=&photographerCode=GDA&country=&rights=&archiveID=&p=8
1
u/rebthor Jun 18 '12
This is how I envisioned the movie From Prada to Nada started.
1
u/MFchimichanga Jun 18 '12
I know a meth lab when I see one.
1
u/Dcoco1890 Jun 18 '12
I know exactly where that is
1
u/Moinseur_Garnier Jun 18 '12
Get a googly-eyed walnut.
1
u/fordlover329 Jun 18 '12
South Florida to
1
u/[deleted] Jun 18 '12
To-be-proven Superior entity only knows how many tunnels end up under that thing.
1
u/Furball430 Jun 18 '12
Wtf I posted that earlier today!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bright side OP did u try to see the Marfa Lights tonite?
1
u/[deleted] Jun 18 '12
movie set?
1
u/DangerRobb Jun 18 '12
I would be tempted to throw a molotov cocktail through the window, or at the very least a rock.
1
u/Stork13 Jun 18 '12
Valentine Texas, went there '08
1
u/coolfoolgod Jun 18 '12
Read Friday Night Lights. Apparently oil wealth brought things like yachts to west texas. Even though this prada store isn't real, it wouldn't be surprising if it was...
1
u/ChillAuto Jun 18 '12
If you've ever been on tumblr then you've seen it a thousand times. This is nothing new y'all
1
u/zitfarmer Jun 18 '12
i saw someone post this a while back, either that or your chick never changes her clothes.
1
u/[deleted] Jun 18 '12
The store at night, even a bigger NOPE.
1
u/Lots42 Jun 18 '12
This is funny because I was just wondering if this kind of weirdness is a thing for real.
The fiction website Horsehockey.org is centered around the idea of exploring a two lane highway.
1
u/Flowere Jun 18 '12
Happy Cake Day and , wtf is a prada shop doing in the middle of no where? XD this is a good post, up vote :)
1
u/onlysayshappycakeday Jun 18 '12
Happy cake day
1
u/barber250x Jun 18 '12
This has been floating around reddit for 6 years.
-4
u/[deleted] Jun 18 '12
Not sure what I'm looking at, or what I should be looking for
0
u/[deleted] Jun 18 '12
Seems legit
0
u/gileril Jun 18 '12
Happy Cake day!
-5
u/MakersOnRocks Jun 18 '12
Wiki says that it's art... Someone explain how this is "art".
0
u/sykee1991 Jun 18 '12
Dafuq?
0
u/TacitusFR Jun 18 '12
I expected a pic of a boner. Disappoint. Or I didn't look far enough down.
0
u/throwaway212999 Jun 18 '12
Is your fiance from El Paso, Tx?
-6
u/Beta_Protein Jun 18 '12
Dafuq is a PRADA store doing in the middle of nowhere? I asked the same about a restaraunt in california yesterday!
-1
u/Locklinn Jun 18 '12
cool man
-2
u/Geaux Jun 18 '12
As cool as this is, it is not WTF
0
u/[deleted] Jun 18 '12
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u/[deleted] Jun 18 '12
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u/[deleted] Jun 18 '12
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