Bold against the Texan skyline, the Prada Marfa installation stands strong in the barren landscape, but after being classified as an “illegal outdoor advertising sign” by the Texas Department of Transportation, it may not be standing for long.
Although it isn’t actually a working store, the use of the Prada logo caused the intervention of legal action for it’s use of advertising without permission. Inaugurated in 2005, the building was created as an artistic endeavour by Scandinavian artists, Michael Elmgreen and Ingar Dragset, as a “pop architectural land art project.” Destined to remain at the side of the highway and degrade naturally into the landscape for art’s sake, it seems now that process will be cut short for infringing advertising laws.
Designed around a functioning Prada store, the interiors feature handbags, shoes and other Prada items, which were personally selected and provided by Miuccia Prada herself, though both parties claim there is “no commercial relationship” between the artists and Prada.
Boyd Elder, local artist and the site representative for Prada Marfa told The New York Times; “If it really is against the regulations, they should have found out in 2005 when it was erected… It’s not an advertisement; it’s an art statement. And it’s on private property.”
