Category Archives: architecture
Lines. And lines.
Sometimes I like to look (literally) at the big picture.
But, when I can get close and see things like this conglomeration of lines, the big-picture view becomes inadequate.
Ritz Theater
Snyder, Texas
photographed 7.10.2013
Just to be clear
Can you imagine the owner of this place getting SO TIRED of inquiries about its availability on the market, that he/she finally just painted the message on the door?
No. Neither can I.
Marfa, Texas
photographed 8.16.2013
Behind the HiWay
There are several renovated trailers at El Cosmico, in Marfa, but they may not have the charm of this one that I saw in back of the HiWay Cafe, just down the road in Valentine. Also, this one has those concrete blocks hold it up, so you know it’s stable. No neighbors to bother you – everything around is abandoned and falling down. And the tree right there provides some shade, although to be honest, this IS the desert, and the shade’s probably never as much as you’d hope. It’s also just a stone’s throw (literally, and I can’t throw very far) from the railroad.
You don’t have to take my word for it; it’s right there on the main highway (or: only highway), between 3rd and 5th Streets*.
Valentine, Texas
photographed 8.16.2013
*By the way, and because I know you want to know, the highest street number in town is 8.
Nooses? Yes, it looks like nooses.
I don’t really know what would have gone on at the ice house (other than the making of ice, I mean), so I am not entirely sure why there’d be a row of big eye bolts on the outside of the building.
But check out the noose-shadows on the corrugated metal wall. I’m not saying that was my favorite thing I’ve ever seen in Marfa, but it’s right up there with this. Oh, and here’s a wider view of the ice house, taken on a previous trip. Before I knew about the nooses.
Marfa, Texas
photographed 8.16.2013
What I didn’t photograph that day
This was my first visit to Valentine. This is what happened:
I was in Marfa. I thought about going to look at the cemetery. And headed out that way. Then saw a mileage sign that said Valentine was 35 miles away. I ditched the idea of a cemetery visit and headed over to Valentine.
Not too much going on in Valentine, other than the famous (?) Prada Marfa scuplture (or, installation, if you will), which to be honest I didn’t look for because I was a lot more interested in the way the storm looked over the HiWay Cafe. Also, the sculpture/installation has had its picture taken a lot, and I wanted to try to make things right with the Cafe.
And, I am a little bit of a contrarian: if “everyone” takes a picture of something, you can be pretty sure I’ll aim my camera elsewhere. (Sorry. None of you really needed me to point THAT, did you!?)
Valentine, Texas
photographed 8.16.2013
One Day | One Image 