Google Sightseeing takes you on tour of the world as seen from satellite, using the free Google Earth program, or Google Maps in your web browser. Each weekday your guides James and Alex present new weird and wonderful sights as suggested by readers.

The editors: James & Alex

Just When You Don’t Need Prada

Posted by James Turnbull, Wednesday, 22nd July 2009

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Driving along the isolated Highway 90 in Texas, you may be hoping to find somewhere to buy water, food, or perhaps petrol for your car.

And look! There on the horizon, a fast approaching convenience of some kind!

However, undoubtedly the last thing you need to cope with the unforgiving landscape is a new pair of Prada shoes.

But hey, it’s better than nothing, right? Unfortunately, even if the street view driver did want a new Italian designer handbag, he or she would still be out of luck, as it’s closed.

In fact, this store is always closed, and has been since 2005 when it was first, er… opened. As it turns out, this particular Prada boutique is a permanent art installation, created by cruel Scandinavian artists Elmgreen and Dragset.

Thanks to Diego Gonzalez.

7 Responses to 'Just When You Don’t Need Prada'

  1. Peter says:

    Next thing you know, the Prada company’s going to require its removal :)

  2. Warwick says:

    Love the fact that Google Adds is currently putting an add for Louis Vuitton Handbags on this post!

  3. Julien says:

    Another installation of Elmgreen & Dragset is visible in front of the Chicago Contemporary Art Museum : Placemark: Google Maps / Google Earth

    Sadly, it’s not visible in Street View.

  4. JRK says:

    Anyone notice PRADA on the shoulder of the road.

    It looks like it says P – Please R – Redeem A D – ? A – Amen

  5. Tammo says:

    Cool spot JRK But I think the last A actually says ‘America’ Can’t make out the D either …

  6. Bob says:

    Most recently the artists have created Prada Marfa, 2005, a site-specific, permanent project outside Marfa, Texas. Here they made a building that emulates the style and displays of the fashion house’s signature shops around the world. However, set on the otherwise desolate route between El Paso and Marfa, the stark, minimalist building stands in contrast to the landscape and context, and through this juxtaposition it raises questions about the aesthetics within contemporary consumerist culture and our perception of nature as sublime.

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