West of Here: Playboy Marfa Is Still Erect

The Playboy Marfa art installation by American artist Richard Phillips on Highway 90 west of Marfa, Texas is scheduled to be removed soon because Texas authorities say it is unlicensed advertising. Now Prada Marfa, a famous art installation on the same stretch of highway, has been cited for the same violation and may be removed as well.  ©2013 Robert W. Hart

The Playboy Marfa art installation by American artist Richard Phillips on Highway 90 west of Marfa, Texas is scheduled to be removed soon because Texas authorities say it is unlicensed advertising. Now Prada Marfa, a famous art installation on the same stretch of highway, has been cited for the same violation and may be removed as well.
©2013 Robert W. Hart

The Prada Marfa art installation near Valentine, Texas.

The Prada Marfa art installation near Valentine, Texas.

My recent three-day pilgrimage to Terlingua took me past the Playboy Marfa installation which is much closer to Marfa than Prada Marfa. Prada Valentine would certainly be more accurate since it’s maybe a quarter-mile from the town. Back in July the Texas Highway Department gave the artist, Richard Phillips, 45 days to remove the structure but it’s still standing.

According to some Marfans Prada Marfa is art and Playboy Marfa is, well, something less.

Yeah, I love the headline too.

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