MARFA — The Ayn Foundation, a nonprofit arts organization displaying permanent installations by artists Andy Warhol and Maria Zerres in the Brite Building in Downtown Marfa since 2005, announced its closure last week.
The nearly 20-year-long endeavor involved long-term installations of Andy Warhol’s The Last Supper, and Maria Zerres’ September Eleven. The original works were simply on view for patrons to contemplate and were not for sale.
Director Gretchen Coles said the fact that the series of paintings by well-known artists were made accessible in Marfa is what made the place special. “They were their original works, not photographs, not copies, the original work,” Coles said. “People could walk up close to them without touching and look at them as many times or as much as they wanted to.”
The Ayn Foundation was established by German art dealer Heiner Friedrich, 86, along with his family in 2005. Friedrich is known locally for his role in the creation of the Dia Foundation, which helped Donald Judd finance renovations to Fort D.A. Russell, now the Chinati Foundation, in 1978.
Coles said it is her understanding that the Ayn Foundation — which at times showcased work in other cities — is closing all together, not just its Marfa space. But “it’s in process, unknown,” she said. “It could be that it’s going to evolve with a different name someplace else and not be the same thing,” Coles said.
The visitation to the galleries varied from season to season, Coles said. But the works were well received, and in closing she and the foundation wished to thank their patrons for their support. “I would love to give the credit to the public who has come in and so genuinely been willing to stay and look at the work and ask questions and not touch the work and be interested and sincere in the kind of questions they ask,” Coles said.
The Ayn Foundation in Downtown Marfa, located at 107-109 Highland St., will host its final open hours this weekend, with hours from noon to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.