Stirrings in the desert heat — Short doc Marfa: This Must Be The Place chronicles the artistic renaissance blowing up in the middle of the West Texas desert.

There’s something happening in Marfa, Texas. Filmmaker Larry Clark caught whiff of the offbeat vibes and decided to set his teen drama Marfa there in 2012.

But in recent years, the tiny town in the middle of the desert has blown up to become a fully-fledged creative mecca.

Directed by Nathan Henry of ALCHEMYcreative, Marfa: This Must Be The Place gets under the skin of this unexpected artistic renaissance.

Artists have long been inspired by Marfa, but artist Donald Judd moved to the area in the early ’70s and bought up a group of buildings including the its abandoned military base, he helped kickstart a movement that has seen the town transformed.

Today, Marfa is a place where ranch hands live alongside experimental artists and huge outdoor art installations sit next to trailer parks.

With more and more artists finding refuge in the desert town, Marfa’s mythical status as a creative hotspot looks set to grow and grow.

Find out more about Marfa: This Must Be The Place.

Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

Latest on Huck

This erotic zine dismantles LGBTQ+ respectability politics
Culture

This erotic zine dismantles LGBTQ+ respectability politics

Zine Scene — Created by Megan Wallace and Jack Rowe, PULP is a new print publication that embraces the diverse and messy, yet pleasurable multitudes that sex and desire can take.

Written by: Isaac Muk

As Tbilisi’s famed nightclubs reawaken, a murky future awaits
Music

As Tbilisi’s famed nightclubs reawaken, a murky future awaits

Spaces Between the Beats — Since Georgia’s ruling party suspended plans for EU accession, protests have continued in the capital, with nightclubs shutting in solidarity. Victor Swezey reported on their New Year’s Eve reopening, finding a mix of anxiety, catharsis and defiance.

Written by: Victor Swezey

Los Angeles is burning: Rick Castro on fleeing his home once again
Culture

Los Angeles is burning: Rick Castro on fleeing his home once again

Braver New World — In 2020, the photographer fled the Bobcat Fire in San Bernardino to his East Hollywood home, sparking the inspiration for an unsettling photo series. Now, while preparing for its exhibition, he has had to leave once again, returning to the mountains.

Written by: Miss Rosen

Ghais Guevara: “Rap is a pinnacle of our culture”
Music

Ghais Guevara: “Rap is a pinnacle of our culture”

What Made Me — In our new series, we ask artists and rebels about the forces and experiences that have shaped who they are. First up, Philadelphian rap experimentalist Ghais Guevara.

Written by: Ghais Guevara

Gaza Biennale comes to London in ICA protest
Activism

Gaza Biennale comes to London in ICA protest

Art and action — The global project, which presents the work of over 60 Palestinian artists, will be on view outside the art institution in protest of an exhibition funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies.

Written by: Cyna Mirzai

Ragnar Axelsson’s thawing vision of Arctic life
Culture

Ragnar Axelsson’s thawing vision of Arctic life

At the Edge of the World — For over four decades, the Icelandic photographer has been journeying to the tip of the earth and documenting its communities. A new exhibition dives into his archive.

Written by: Cyna Mirzai

Sign up to our newsletter

Issue 81: The more than a game issue

Buy it now