marfalights

Jeremy Green “Marfa Lights” 02/11/18

Far away from everywhere, in a small town in west Texas named Marfa, there exists an amazing and unique permanent exhibition of art that occupies the better part of an abandoned army outpost. Outside are tumbleweeds, antelope, and vast open spaces surrounding what appears to be a stark, sun-blanched, and desolate town best known for the mysterious and unexplained “Marfa Lights” that are occasionally visible on the outskirts of town at night. Inside several buildings in a row there are hallways filled with colored flourescent tubes, especially created by artist Dan Flavin for this space and simply entitled Marfa Project. Taking the tour of the Chinati Foundation’s entire art installation is a full day’s commitment. No choice. Three hours in the morning and 3 hours in the afternoon, which I did a couple of weeks ago. Everything about Marfa, like those mysterious lights out in the desert, is a little strange and beyond explanation.