Exploring Marfa, TX. Downtown is super sleepy and seems to be mostly owned by the Judd foundation. His name is in perfect red letters on all of the windows of the buildings he bought before he passed away in 1994. It seems as though the 2000 or so locals could care less that their podunk town was home to such a preeminent artist. His influence is apparent, but the place doesn’t feel pretentious. It’s an interesting balance of west Texas vernacular and contemporary design.

[downtown Marfa]

[this juxtaposition was the clearest example of Texas meets Judd]

I have an appointment to see Judd’s home and studio at 4:30, so I have time to explore. I ride pretty much every road in the town, including some which are way off the beaten path.

After scouring the small town and most of the periphery, I decide to seek out Judd’s untitled concrete pieces, which are among my favorite. I’ve studied, referenced and been inspired by images of the geometric concrete boxes – which are perfectly detailed, executed and arranged in the landscape – for the last 13 or so years. The thought of finally getting to see them in the flesh is very exciting. I search the perimeter of town without cell service to show me the way. Eventually I find the property they are located on, only to discover they are closed on Mondays. With the voice of my dear friend Robert Nashak in my head, I quickly scale the fence and land in the vast scrubby field that was once the home of the Marfa Army Airfield. Trying to describe the experience of wandering around and though the room-sized sculptures I have studied in such detail – without anyone else in sight, in one of the most remote places I have ever been – would never do it justice. I’ll just say its a moment I’ll never forget.

Making it out unscathed, I jump back on my bike and head for the Judd compound for my tour. I would liken the experience of touring his property to that of visiting the works of Carlo Scarpa – photos and words do not do it justice and it’s purely about the experience of the place. You have to be there to get/feel it. The smart adaptive reuse of the old military warehouses;  the exquisite collection of original Judd pieces; and the materiality/composition of the compound is awe-inspiring. To see firsthand how he lived and made art (which he believed were inseparable acts) is beyond something to aspire to.