January 28, 2005; Fort Davis, Texas

Today, I visited the Chinati Foundation in Marfa. The Foundation is named for the near by Chinati Mountains. Founded by Donald Judd, its purpose is to display large works of art in a permanent setting. Fort D.A. Russell was chosen and renovated for the project. Steve and Ron had told me that some of the stuff was a strange sight to behold. That's all it took for me.

First on the tour was some of Donald Judd's work. Imagine if you will, 100 boxes roughly the size of a standard work desk made of 1/2 inch thick bare aluminum, all with the same external dimensions, but with different internal configurations. That is to say, some had boxes inside the main box, some had dividers inside of varying angles, and one was just a sealed box. The sheer size and layout of the work was impressive, and the aluminum reflected the morning sun beautifully.

Next up was sculpture by John Wesley. Upon entering the vage organic forms quickly revealed themselves; I played a fun game of "Name that Genitalia."

The coolest work was done by Dan Flavin, and housed in six U-shaped barracks. The bottom of the U was split and in each side were fluorescent bulbs of varying configurations and colors. My favorite configuration was these blue bulbs set against yellow bulbs and put on a slant that matched the slant of the walls. Walking down the hallway was disorientating due to the angles. So naturally, I dug it.

After two more hours of art that I didn't even begin to get or feel, I was arted out. As a matter of fact, I was Texased out, and felt the urgent need to get the hell out of the lone star state.

I spent the night in Fort Davis and did a lip service tour of the Davis Mountain Scenic Loop. They were neat and all, but my heart was not in it anymore. I was mountained out as well. Poor me, I know.