Judd Foundation Reviews

I feel like minimalist art is love it or hate it. Don’t come here if you hate it. If you love it, the “Block” tour of Judd’s residence and the “studios” tour where he worked will be right up your alley. A few huge warehouses with classic Judd pieces and offices with furniture and paintings by Judd and other artists emphasizing simple forms and clean lines.

These spaces can only be viewed via tours with no photos allowed (think of it this way - you have to come to Marfa to see this stuff). The tours move at a glacial pace. 1.5 hours for the Blocks and 1 hour for the studios. Much of the tour involves standing around in non-climate-controlled spaces. It’s minimalist art! There’s not much to look at! The guides provide no real information about the art itself, which is the most interesting part and far from self-explanatory. Instead, we spent an eternity looking at Judd’s large library. It’s a room with books. It’s not that amazing. Basically, the tours should be half as long and provide twice as much information as they do.

The Blocks tour should be prioritized. It has the most impressive installations and Judd pieces. The studios tour is mostly just office and work space.

A couple of nights in this unassuming town will mean you see most of the attractions
So deceptive as to what lies behind the walls. Spent a night in a silverstream, did a tour, visited the courthouse, and walk the galleries on the streets. A hike to get there but worth the drive.

Last year we did the home and library tour, this year we decided to do the studio tour, it is very expensive, $55 for two people, but I think it was worth it, I really enjoyed it, I highly recommend it to anybody who loves modern Art, it’s amazing you can go to the Museum of modern Art in New York for less money, and really not see everything in one day, here you get a one and a half hour tour, for more money, but that’s the way goes

This is why you visit Marfa, TX....a must see!
The Donald Judd Art Museum id the reason you are going to Marfa!

This is one of the options offered by the Judd Foundation and it is only of the adobe block surrounded area on El Paso Street, across from the grain elevator. We were lucky to be eligible for 1/2 price senior tickets - I would have been unhappy had I paid the full price. The tour, well-conducted by a woman named Suza, was restricted to the current contents of what had been the Quartermaster's area connected with the Army fort. This was basically two libraries (don't touch the books) and three rooms with some Robert Judd works.

Don't confuse this Judd Foundation with the Chinati Foundation (also in Marfa) which has much more of Judd's work along with 12 other artists - but only open Weds through Sunday. We had checked the days / hours of the Judd Foundation - our mistake - and therefore did not get to see what we drove to Marfa to see. We arrived on Monday and the "Block" was about our only choice. No photos allowed.

OK, take this as an architect pilgrim, and one who knows almost all of Judd's proclivities and enjoys almost all his collections and sources. Amazing two tours of his Marfa in-town holdings- the Studios and the Block. His bank structure was unfortunately closed on the ground floor main space, which is too bad, a that was a previous 2011 tour highlight, with all the bad wood paneling removed down to plaster- stunning. The furniture collection [Aalto, de Stijl, his own] is priceless, and you can see some of his own drawings. The surrounding buildings and wall point to things unfortunately incomplete in his time. The grocery store-cum fabrication pantry is especially revealing in the formation of his work. The house he used a sa guest house in super minimal and the small shed that has his early work shows him curating his own work. The nearby home/library/gallery structures are even more about his personal idea of architecture and collecting. Really a treat for anyone remotely interested in Judd. Well worth my second pilgrimage. Our guides, all employed in rotating assignments from gardening to curation, were very astute in answering questions, especially my curve balls. The 100+ heat was a bit tough, especially since he didn't like air conditioning [ductwork], so be smart with a summer visit, but stay hydrated elsewhere. There are good places to do so nearby.

Had never heard of Donald Judd until my boyfriend filled me in. He studied Judd in college. The tour is very interesting even for one who's not up to speed on the artist. Judd's living quarters are odd to say the least. It's an inside glimpse to the artist and his everyday life.

Visit the block bought and constructed by Donald Judd for his Marfa home, two libraries, display area and home. This in an interesting two hour tour walking though the buildings in this walled block

Although this is a great place to get a feel for Judd the man, it has a concentration camp feel due to the walled in property. Many of my friends have said this....it didn't bother me as much, but I understood the feeling. The original use of the property was military so it was never going to be a high end home. I particularly loved seeing Judd's library. As interested in other cultures as he was, he did not speak any language other than English and a few words in Spanish.

We (2 couples) took the guided tour of Donald Judd's house, studio, and library complex near the Marfa town center. It was a simple 5 minute walk from the St. George Hotel. Judd was quite the artist and collector. Coming from NYC, he had a radical transition to west TX. It is clear he embraced the region. His art is fantastic. You must appreciate contemporary art to "get" his stuff. He was a force in the art community, and you can see his art as a permanent collection there. I encourage all visitors to Marfa to make the Judd house a cultural stop on your itinerary.

We took the Judd Foundation tour of Donald Judd's family compound, library, and galleries while in Marfa. Follow the parking instructions and enter through the unmarked gate at the rear of the property. The tour took a couple of hours and, after an introductory talk, you will be walking and standing on concrete or uneven river rock for the rest of the tour. Although Judd and his family lived in several different homes after this one, including those in New York and the ranch outside of Marfa, this compound captures a glimpse into his personal space as well as providing a chance to see a portion of his library and some of his iconic art pieces.

You should go here before going to Chinati Foundation, it helps provide context. Hit gives a good sense of who Judd was and how he found his way to Marfa. You can see if he lived and organized his live like this place how he came to produce the kind of art he did. His art is kind of an extension of how he lived. Also it provides a sense of his family and friends and how he brought people into his world.

Donald Judd's imprint on Marfa and the cultural scene is on display here. And it's not important that you're into Judd's creations, because it's only important that you see the outcome of his contributions on display here at his home.

It's a compound near the tracks across from a hardware/ag center. It's loaded with some examples of his works. We went on a self-guided tour that was part of the Marfa Myths open house.

It's hard to imagine some body of his stature living here. And it's even harder to imagine how he produced so many big pieces that appeal across an eclectic spectrum... many of which seem like engineering feats as opposed to artistic renditions.

This is a lovely and intimate tour of Donald Judd's home, which included two libraries, and several rooms of artwork. Our docent clearly knew Judd well, and I felt very privileged to tour the space. Thank you, Eugene!

If you are interested in design,architecture and arts this vidit is a must.you will understand Judd’s thinking and aspirations and will appreciate more his sculptures in the museums across the world.

We took a tour which was interesting, but very pricy for what it is. On top of that, the main house was not shown to us, because of a private event. This is a shame, because we still had to pay the full ticket price and we were only told we could not see it in the end of the tour! I cannot believe this was not communicated to us beforehand.

Donald Judd was a master, and this hermetically sealed environment, which includes where he lived and how he represented his work, shows you how clear his vision was of his mastery. Fascinating and unlike anything I've ever seen. If you're in Marfa for Chianti, this should be on your agenda.

This is Judd's residence, so you will get to see the house (and gardens) where he lived with his family, and his "studios" and libraries.

In my view this is a waste of time. I could do better. Painting squares can be done by anybody and then to just keep doing the same thing over and over ain't art.

Only for hard core art lovers.......multi dimensional, repetitive large scale abstract art at Judd Foundation. Many wonderful artists and art galleries.............Great food.......if you're going anywhere near here make sure to stay a few days.

I have visited Donald Judd’s The Block and his ranch several times and always find them interesting. He was an exceptional and ground breaking artist. The Judd Foundation allows one to get close to his work, his philosophy and his life preferences. Anyone interested in art will find this tour rewarding and a real treat.

Interesting man who was compelled to create his own world ( or prison depending on perspective) where he could have complete control. The “block” feels Very closed off (as were the buildings at the Chinati foundation.) doesn’t make sense since he chose to live in desert environment that is all about wide open space, light and air.
The Block is a bizarre place that deserves a visit simply because it’s so odd. Who builds a wall with in a walled compound? Hordes gazillions of books ? Appears to Eschew soft surfaces? Live in cave like building.? Over all very unique man and world he created ..so it’s worth a visit if you’re in marfa after all his legacy is what is gentrifying the town and why you’re there. No one in the sophisticated world of art hangs out in Sonora, Tx.

There were some interesting things on this tour but the guide really stretched the tour so that it was longer than necessary.

Fascinating to see Judd's libraries, lit by nothing but natural light, on a dark and stormy day! The guide was patient and informative and welcomed questions--unlike the guides at Chinati ;+)

Excellent guide and fascinating tour. 2 hours was perfect length of time. Wish we could have taken photos inside - to show family and friends. Highly recommend

We booked a private, custom visit by appointment through the Judd Foundation well in advance of our trip. We were treated to a comprehensive, half day tour of Judd properties outside of the Chinati complex (which we had visited the previous day).
Our Guide, Jack, knows the history of the art, the place and the man - Donald Judd - inside and out. He supplied information in a very thoughtful and logical manner and escorted us through studios, libraries, residences, and various buildings Judd acquired to restore and use as exhibition space for his art and that of others. I really appreciated the pace of the tour. Jack gave us ample time to explore and absorb the various locations and seemed genuinely interested in our comments and questions. Upon learning that we planned to visit Santa Fe at the end of our trip, he enthusiastically supplied us with recommendations for restaurants and sights as he had lived there prior to moving to Marfa.
We saw some really amazing art in Marfa - but we also met so many really nice people - a winning combination!

Fascinating tour of Donald Judd's compound. Really gives you a good sense of what this artist was about. Our tour guide was terrific. Highly recommended.

Everything about this personal, limited, private tour is interesting and fascinating. You get to see an entire block (and everything in it) of a small town converted into an "art" object/project: see Donald Judd's contemporary art in the setting he intended it to live in; see his contemporaries art work in Judd's personal spaces. You get to visit Judd's personal residence and see how he lived, what he read and collected, how he built furniture to fit his personal spaces. You learn a history of Marfa before/after Donald Judd. Not enough can be said about this tour of "The Block". If you are in the area and you miss it ... you either don't care one wit about art or history or you just don't realize how amazing the entire phenomena of Donald Judd's preservations really are and how important they are to the town of Marfa's existence. Go see The Block.

It's a real treat to see Judd's home and libraries and sculpture galleries - the outdoor spaces, too, are gorgeous and really complement the installations at Chinati.

What can I say - Donald Judd exemplifies what it means to be an artist. His work made Marfa a household name in the art community and artists and art lovers pay homage to the man and his art with pilgrimages to the city. A must-see in Marfa!

Donald Judd compound with beautiful adobe wall. Tour really
adds to artsy feel of Marfa. Impressive library and 3D art
displays. Wait by the gate, someone will arrive!

We noticed a tour offering at 11am and quickly signed up. The Block is located just down the street from the Judd Foundation. Our guide David did a great job of walking us around the facility which included some outdoor space, 4 different rooms with books, art, studios, and his living space as well. Very interesting and a good thing to do before a Chinati Foundation tour.

We took “The Square” tour which focused on Judd’s move to the area, his early permanent displays, and an introduction to his philosophy of art. Our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable about Judd and his work. She carefully balanced her narrative script with a willingness to branch off into topics of interest to the guests. A great tour. Reservations are required from the Judd Foundation website.

Donald Judd is the reason Marfa, TX has been able to survive as a town in desolate West Texas. Whatever else brought you here, wouldn't be here, if Judd's presence had not given the impetus for Marfa's artsy-craftsy revival. It is worth seeing how this very unique artist lived. You may change your mind on whether simple cubes can be considered art. It depends on the placement, I guess. At any rate, you'll want to take photos (not allowed) and you'll be talking about this place for quite a while after your visit.

A blast, a must see, the Chinati Foundation and the Judd Foundation, all for Donald Judd's American 'minimalist' art.
And the Texan desert, the atmosphere, a unique experience.

It's not easy to get to Marfa. In fact, you might ask where in the world is Marfa? Well the Soho Crowd has discovered and transformed this once moribund Texas town. We rolled into town with only the afternoon to explore and just in time for this enthralling two hour tour. Had we been more informed about the spectacular work of Donald Judd we would have planned ahead for the all day tour. His installations are sublime. His aesthetic specific. Well worth the considerable effort to get to this Far West Texas high desert town.

Marfa has a fascinating history, and this is the perfect place to start your education. Take your time and immerse yourself Judd's world, where he created, how he lived.

We took the studio tour followed by block tour. Afternoon best spent in Marfa TX.
I highly recommend it for any art loving people.
Kids under 12 are not allowed in the tour.
Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes as you will need to walk around quite a bit.
We also took Chinati Foundation guided tour the next day.
All are must.

If you are visiting Marfa, a visit to the Judd Foundation is a must. Gallery, studio, living space and library are all included.

I learned a lot about Judd from the guide we had. The tour gave me a better understanding of his life and times.

The Judd foundation has always been on my to do and see list. I was not disappointed. The tour took a few hours and we took our time enjoying every bit of it. Our guide was experienced,and a local with a lot of enthusiasm and first hand knowledge.

Fascinating glimpse into the private home and life of Donald Judd! Each time I visit I learn more. The library is amazing, the collections of "things" baskets, plaids, rocks, etc is so interesting!

The main thing to do in Marfa is see to see the works of Donald Judd, his home, his studio and the works of three other artists that he admired. Advance planning is critical. There are tours of his home and studio but there are a limited number of slots, further there are only a very limited number of tours each day. The same is true of the Chianti foundation that offers a 2 and 4 hours guided tour plus self guided tours of two Judd installations and the works of two other artists.

We took the home (i.e.block) tour and were impressed by the overall design. We took three self guided tours at Chianti - the other foundation that shows Judd's works. We took the self guided tour of the 100 aluminum boxes. It is only available two hours each day and only five days each week. This is quite an esoteric experience but I believe that doing this on your own is the way to go in that you will have the time to get into the experience and look at the objects from a variety of perspective. There are very helpful docents on the site of the two large buildings were these boxes are displayed.

Bottom line: Marfa has a lot of buzz but the Judd focus foundations are the heart of the experience from an artistic perspective. Look at the web sites of both the Judd and Chinati foundation, review the tours, look at the pictures. Most important do not just show up, plan in advance.

The huge cement creations in a wide open field make great photo ops! So fun. A friend and I ran all over the place taking pictures inside the creations. A really fun stop!

Had a great time walking around. It was incredibly hot so I would recommend carrying water. However, it was well worth seeing. Would highly recommend to anyone going to Marfa.