Diomita Maurer’s Blog

For my simploring tour on Tuesday, January 26th, I picked Valium SL – MARFA from scoop.it SL Destinations. The entry led to an entry of Susann Decuir “Neueröffnung: Valium SL- MARFA (Moderat)” (the post is in German). It attracted my immediate attention because of several issues: Firstly I visited often places created and/or owned by Vally Lavender (Valium Lavender), secondly Fred Hamilton, Lotus Mastroianni and Sofie Janic built the sim, and thirdly the published picture reminded me of “Kun-Tei-Ner”, another place that was built by Fred Hamilton (frecoi) and Lotus Mastroianni (read here).

In addition I visited Marfa, Texas, already in Second Life back in 2017 (read here) and had done some research.
Marfa was founded in the early 1880s as a railroad water stop. The town was named “Marfa” at the suggestion of the wife of a railroad executive. The Marfa Army Airfield served as a training facility for several thousand pilots during World War II. It was closed 1945. Marfa has a population of about 2,000 people, hence it is really small.

Impressions of Marfa, Texas (source https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marfa,_Texas)

Today, Marfa is a tourist destination and a major center for Minimalist art. Attractions include Building 98, the Chinati Foundation, artisan shops, historical architecture, a classic Texas town square, modern art installments, art galleries, and the Marfa lights. The city is also 37 miles (60 km) from Prada Marfa, a pop art exhibit, which might be the most photographed and visited site in Marfa. The area around Marfa is known as a cultural center for contemporary artists and artisans. In 1971, minimalist artist Donald Judd moved to Marfa from New York City. Since Judd’s death in 1994, two foundations have worked to maintain his legacy: the Chinati Foundation and Judd Foundation. Every year the Chinati Foundation holds an open house event where artists, collectors, and enthusiasts come from around the world to visit Marfa’s art (Source: wikipedia).

As mentioned above Valium SL – MARFA is built on a full moderate region owned by by Vally Lavender (Valium Lavender). Fred Hamilton, Lotus Mastroiani und Sofie Janic have rebuilt Marfa quite realisitc. You recognize the buildings, the art and the weiredness of this place in Texas, art in the middle of nothing. No wonder that many people visit it nowadays.

Valium SL – MARFA: Bird eye view and orientation map

The landing is admist the town center next to the fire department. If you zoom out, you can see how in the middle of nothing Marfa is located. Close to the landing point is a Motel, a garage and a gas station. And right across the street is one of the largest buildings, the “Empty Chair Gallery”. I visited the gallery first before further exploring Valium SL – MARFA.

Impressions of Valium SL – MARFA (1): around the landing

In the Empty Chair Gallery Vally showcases pictures that she had collected. All pictures are about empty chairs: “I felt that the ’empty chair’ in most cases created the emotion of being lonely, sad, or waiting, and wanting from the observer. They seemed to ask the same question over again and that is “Do you feel what I am feeling about my empty chair?” And often time the chairs instilled a sense of happiness, knowing perhaps, that soon someone would occupy their empty chair.”
The pictures exhibited right now at the Empty Chair Gallery are from Adam Cayden, Cecilia Nansen, D e F o e, Duna Gant, GlitterPrincess Destiny, Key Monk, Loegan Magic, Powder Grau, Samyi Basevi, Sander Sunborne, Shawn Shakespeare, Sunset Theas and Venicio Armin,

Impressions of Valium SL – MARFA (2): The Empty Chair Gallery

After visiting the gallery, I first explored the little town. There’s a lot to discover and I didn’t see all. Close to the residential area is a nice flower store and I saw an antiques store, both decorated with love for details. The largest building in town is the countyhouse. It was built fitting the original building in Marfa, Tx.

Impressions of Valium SL – MARFA (3): countyhouse, flower store, antiques store

In the residential area you find several house, some of them were still empty duing my visit but that might have changed in the meanwhile. Between two houses closer to the town I found a nice little court to sit and enjoy. Also quite close to thre residentail area is Thor’s Café & Bar. I recommend that you have a look inside. The decoration is outstanding. I think these little details make Valium SL – MARFA so particular. For example you find a wardrobe in the form of a cactus.

Impressions of Valium SL – MARFA (4): Residential area and Thor’s Café & Bar

The visitors and I assume in particular those who visit the Marfa Lights Festial live in a seperate camp in containers, in tents and caravans. In the center of the site is an event area. really amazing is the the gate to the site has exactly the same form and symbol as in real life. The containers did remind me of “Kun-Tei-Ner” (read here). I didn’t have the time to go into every tent or container but they are furnished and I bet there’s also a lot to see. If you get hungry after all what is to see at Valium SL – MARFA you can take a break at the bbq stand right next between the camp and the Lights building.

Impressions of Valium SL – MARFA (5): containers, tents and caravans and the bbq stand

The “Lights-Building” is another landmark of Marfa, Tx. in RL. It has a pertciluar egg form and daylight just comes through a small gap in the ceiling. The entrance and the exit are built in a waythat avoids any light coming it. Marfa is renown for its art. And you find it spreaded around the town. There’s the renown Prafa store, a care on a concrete box, a large board showing James Dean (I think at least) next to a scaffold in the middle of nothing

Impressions of Valium SL – MARFA (6): Lights building, Prafa and other art

And finally there is art spread on ranch land, many boxes and cubes made of concrete, iglus, and inbetween grazing cattle, quite weired.

Impressions of Valium SL – MARFA (7): Art and cattle, the railroad

I was impressed of my first visit. Fred Hamilton (frecoi), Lotus Mastroiani, Sofie Janic and Vally Lavender (Valium Lavender) created a really outstanding place. I enjoyrd seeing Marfa, Tx. again. In these days and age where you can only travel virtually it was a feast for me. A big thank you to all who were and are involved in realizing Valium SL – MARFA.

Landmark to Valium SL – MARFA
https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/ValiumSL/179/131/59
Valium group flickr page
https://www.flickr.com/groups/valium/
Vally Lavender (Valium Lavender)’s flickr page
https://www.flickr.com/photos/vally-lavender/
Susann Decuir “Neueröffnung: Valium SL- MARFA (Moderat)”
https://mein-zweites-leben.blogspot.com/2021/01/neueroeffnung-valiumsl-marfa-moderat.html