Donald Clarence Judd

The reason why I came to this little town in middle of nowhere in Texas is to see Judd work.

He is known as leading figure of Minimal art movement. This is one of his famous work; hundred of precisely made sculptures boxes.

Dimension is all same but inside format is nothing same, it has different faces.

This 45000 acre land was formally army base. He bought 1970's and converted into massive galleries for contemporary art, work space, office and storage space.

This is over view of galleries where stores hundred of boxes sculpture is; massive space!

In other gallerias; Abundant school

Husk of plants, i founds on a road

His one of signature work; Door without handle

Texas beauty

One of the world's largest permanent contemporary art installation.

This is all in Chinati foundation ( www.chinati.org)

It's my Birthday!

Flying from LA to El Paso, Texas. In flight announcement said "Happy birthday" for Eriko sitting back row!! Wow such a surprise!!!

Driving from El paso another three hours

To do shopping in PRADA? Well, this is PRADA Marfa but whole of this is piece of art.

Marfa is tiny town in middle of nowhere in Texas but full of contemporary arts.

Pretty shop

Thunder bird hotel

Hotel reception

Very minimum and contemporary room

Even letter set is pretty!

I was invited to a restaurant; Cochineal for dinner. You never imagine this amazing restaurant exists in middle of nowhere in Texas. Their quality is top restaurant in NY, London or Tokyo or even Paris! If i pick up my favorite top 10 restaurants in the world then definitely they are in. Well, the fact this is a little town that art collectors from all over the world fly over here with private jet to buy art piece. Then make sense? This restaurant serve to those people who know all good restaurants in the world. Also I was amazed how contemporary to use different ingredients. Soon i found a reason; one of owner chef was Japanese! This handmade spaghetti with sauteed Shitake mushrooms, black forest ham and fresh sage was shocking! Harmony of all ingredients was just perfect! One of best pasta dish i had ever eaten.

Texas wedge Salad

Wood grilled loin pork with dijon mustard sauce, sauteed spinach and a leek and potato terrine

Rich flourless Chocolate souffle with a warm liquid chocolate center

Wops, they forgot to put candle for chocolate cake so they brought another cake with candle for me.

I put one more year on my age today. Thank you.

LA LA LA

Arrived at LA. I went to famous hot dog place called Pinks (www.pinkshollywood.com) Located near the corner of Melrose and La Brea. There is long ques for this hot dog place always. Reason is their original hot dog also giant one.

I had their super special 12 inch one!! Huge!!

Next day's break fast in Toast (www.toastbakerycafe.net)

Dinner at Bottegalouie (www.bottegalouie.com)

Nice stone oven pizza

My sweet work mate

I suddenly had high fever and took two days off from work. First day, one of my work mate brought corn soup.

Second day, another work mate made Japanese old school stewed pumpkin and hamburgers for me.

How lucky I am. Their kind hearts made me recover so quickly. Thank you so much for real care.

Atariya

Ataria provide fresh fish to most of Japanese sushi restaurants in London. They recently opened own sushi bar in Swiss cottage. (www.atariya.co.uk/shops/swiss_cottage.html)

We had special Sushi course which was chef's choice.

Very tasty fresh Sushi

Also, Chef did very contemporary arrange.

End of course, we request favorite one again but my friends was quite full, so chef made micro sushi for her! Left; Micro sushi. Right; Normal size sushi.

Measea island

Mersea island is famous for it's oyster. Island located near Colchester. I like to visit there when it's summer time. The restaurant I went to this time provide their oyster to lot of good restaurants in London and all over UK. Here you could eat oyster at very reasonable price.

This is the oyster.

Their big fish&chips

Crab chowder