Ballroom Marfa: The First Twenty Years

A vibrant account of Ballroom Marfa s ground-breaking first two decades of art and music

Since its founding in the storied but remote West Texas town of Marfa in 2003, Ballroom Marfa has punched above its weight. From one of its debut shows including renowned artist Takashi Murakami, to Elmgreen & Dragset’s now-iconic Prada Marfa installation, to live performances by Sonic Youth and shock-master John Waters, and large-scale commissions from Agnes Denes to Hiroon Mirza, Ballroom’s impact has reverberated far beyond the desert.

This book is a kaleidoscopic collection of highlights from the museum’s first two decades, as told by the artists, musicians, curators, and community around this art and landmark global destination. The book includes lively first-hand accounts by internationally celebrated artists and musicians such as Terry Allen, Mel Chin, Suzanne Ciani, Agnes Denes, rafa esparza, Loie Hollowell, Matthew Day Jackson, Rashid Johnson, Graham Reynold, and Erin Shirreff, among many more and three zines capturing two decades of performances by musicians such as Bon Iver, Roky Erickson, Helado Negro, Lonnie Holley, Lyle Lovett, Laraaji, Joanna Newsom, Perfume Genius, Pharoah Sanders, Sonic Youth, Spoon, and WIRE, among others.

Over 250 images document more than 50 highlights of Ballroom Marfa’s first twenty years and lively first-hand accounts by internationally celebrated artists bring the scene to life, including contributions from such figures as Elmgreen & Dragset, John Waters, Terry Allen, Mel Chin, Agnes Denes, rafa esparza, Loie Hollowell, Matthew Day Jackson, Rashid Johnson, and Erin Shirreff, among many others.