Recommended Reading (and Listening)
If you find yourself missing Marfa during this time, these recent books—as well as a weekly newspaper and a radio station—offer a way to vicariously spend time in the area. More readings related to Chinati, the collection, and Marfa may be found here.
Richard Shiff, Sensuous Thoughts: Essays on the Work of Donald Judd
Art historian and Chinati trustee Richard Shiff has written many essays on the work of Donald Judd. This book, published by Marfa Book Co. in collaboration with Hatje Cantz, gathers the best of Shiff’s essays on the artist. It features black and white photos throughout and a large selection of color images at the back.
During his time in Marfa, the poet Jeffrey Yang experienced the vastness of desert, township, sky, and time itself as a profound clash of dislocation and familiarity. Yang’s multifaceted work acts as a lyrical, anthropological investigation into history, culture, and extremity of place. Featuring paintings and drawings by longtime friend of Chinati Rackstraw Downes.
Lonn Taylor, Marfa for the Perplexed
A book of essays about the past and present of Marfa, Presidio County, and the surrounding area by the late Lonn Taylor, Texas historian and Ft. Davis resident. Features a foreword by Sterry Butcher, who writes about the Big Bend region for Texas Monthly, and illustrations by Avram Dumitrescu. Published by Marfa Book Co.
Marfa’s long-running (founded in 1926) weekly newspaper covering Presidio, Brewster and Jeff Davis counties.
Headquartered in Marfa, MPR is a network of public radio stations serving the Big Bend region. The station features news and talk programming from NPR, plus local affairs and original music programs from the Big Bend.