Prada Marfa Art Prints: Elevate Your Space

Growing up in west Texas, Marfa was always just another small town where we'd travel a few times a year for football and basketball games. Since moving away from Texas in 2007, Marfa has blossomed into a small art community home to photographers, painters, filmmakers, sculptors and other creatives. Recently I had a chance to visit the area where I grew up and had some time to visit the new and improved Marfa.

Marfa is perhaps most known these days for the Prada Marfa retail storefront. The small shop sits alongside of Highway 90 near Valentine, Texas and is a remarkable art installation that feels very out of place in the vast expanse of the Texas desert. Defined by its creators Michael Elmgreen and Ingar Dragset as "pop architectural land art project,"Prada Marfa really emphasizes the relationship between the shop and the artists who live nearby.

The Meaning Behind Prada Marfa

What could be more interesting than finding a Prada boutique randomly in the desert? The existence of the shop is a conversation piece for nearby residences and certainly raises many questions. 

In a world of overconsumption, Prada Marfa questions our buying habits as consumers, brand identity, and how quickly trends can change in a world fixated on looks. Beyond being a mere structure, it stands as a testament to the transformative power of art. It provokes thought by questioning established norms, and serves as inspiration for many artists throughout the world.

Prada Marfa's Creation and Artistic Vision

The boutique first opened in October 2005 and was immediately vandalized and graffitied. Today, inside the shop are only right-footed shoes and bottomless purses and the door is sealed shut. Prada has no involvement in the art piece, however Miuccia Prada provided the bags and shoes inside and has given the artist's permission to use the Prada trademark for the work.

  

Other brands have tried to build similar structures in the area, most notably Playboy, but the Texas Department of Transportation has been quick to see through what is art vs. free marketing and quickly shut them down making the Prada Marfa shop the only unique piece.

Prada Marfa's Place in Culture

Since its opening, Prada Marfa has held an important place in contemporary art. Its unique idea and remote area make it a popular place for art lovers and curious visitors. The New York Times has even published many articles exploring the meaning of this unique artwork.

Prada Marfa is known outside of the art world as well. The shop shows up in publications, movies, and TV shows like Gossip Girl. Whether people admire it for its art or its shareable look, Prada Marfa has truly sparked interest from audiences all around the globe.

For photographers looking for eye-catching and unique subjects, Prada Marfa is perfect. The brown and plain beauty of the West Texas landscape, combined with the modern look of the Prada store, offers endless inspiration for photography.

With many different ways to interpret it, many famous artists have captured the store. Gray Malin was one of the first to shoot it and I appreciate his different spin on the building by using cowboy hats, horses, real cowboys and Prada bags as props. Even Noel Kerns has photographed the shop.

Having spent my formidable years in West Texas, I remember it as quiet, flat and full of dirt. I wanted this feeling to come through with my Prada Marfa photos. I believe the panorama image I captured in 2013 best represents this by showing a vast landscape behind the shop. This piece has become one of my best selling prints.

Capturing the store is not as simple as it may look. With the Davis Mountains looming behind the photographer, the shop's glass windows make a perfect mirror when the morning light is low, with the shoes and purses inside disappearing to the reflection. A polarizer is almost vital when shooting at sunrise. While I've shot the store at many times of day, my favorite is at sunset when the interior lights glow yellow complementing a large Texas sky behind. Contrast is important in my art, and there's no better way to show that in an image than by breaking up a desert scene by a building that seems so out of place. 

Decorating with Prada Marfa Art Prints

A Prada Marfa art print is more than just decoration. It can change a room, giving it a sense of culture along with a hint of irony. I've sold prints of the shop that become feature pieces in luxury living rooms as well as posters that hang above beds in a college student's first dorm room. With the unique nature of the store, neither feels out of place.

I offer prints in both color and black-and-white to fit perfectly with either a boho eclectic or classic styled room. In the end, the best Prada Marfa print is the one that speaks to you the most. Don't hesitate to pick a piece that ignites your interest, makes you think, and helps your home feel special. As always shipping is free worldwide.

Prada Marfa wall art prints mix both elegance and creativity and are a great way to improve your living space. My prints show the spirit of the famous installation and fit well with nearly all home styles. They bring a modern style to any room. Check out my collection today and add some artistic flair to your everyday life.

To read more about the Prada Marfa art installation, check out the Wikipedia page.