1. Marfa Parasite
Marfa, once a historic Texas border town shaped by its roles as a steam train water stop, ranger outpost, and WWII prisoner-of-war camp, has been transformed since the 1970s into an "Art Oasis" by artist Donald Judd. This change erased much of its original character, replacing public spaces with artist studios and galleries. The town's new identity is shaped by transient waves of tourists drawn to art and fashion landmarks but disconnected from local life.
A proposed architectural narrative critiques this transformation, portraying Marfa as "parasitized" on two levels. On a large scale, the building is an alien, insect-like structure—awkwardly out of place yet fitting as another trendy landmark akin to the Prada Marfa installation. On a smaller scale, visitors are depicted as intruding parasites, disconnected from the town's history and original residents, finding refuge within this space.
School: Rice University
Project Role: Individual Project
Location: Marfa, Texas
12/12/2024