Image via Complex Original
Austin is dappled with a constellation of outdoor sculptures and installations. The city’s rolling hills, glistening lakes, water-holes, and the blueness of the immense Texas sky are the perfect environment for artists working in large scale. Austin’s abundant artwork garners support from institutions all across the bustling arts community, and is a major component in the struggle to “Keep Austin Weird.” Below is a glimpse into some of the most outstanding sites to visit—a series of destinations that will have you crisscrossing the city. By the end of your visit, you’ll be in need of Austin’s other outdoor art form—the icehouse.
The Contemporary Austin’s Betty and Edward Marcus Sculpture Park at Laguna Gloria
Positioned on the meandering waterfront terrain of Lake Austin, the grounds of the sculpture park are dedicated to both temporary and permanent installations by internationally recognized contemporary artists. The park is composed of varied environments that make intriguing sites for the artworks. There are lush meadows, a moss-filled forest, and the shimmering lakefront. The site boasts an impressive collection of work including Tom Sachs’ famous bronze Miffy Fountain, a gold and chrome-plated net structure by Do Ho Suh, and a colorful pavilion by Liam Gillick. On May 10 the park will unveil one of the most exciting acquisitions to date: a 33-foot tall cast metal figure, by the celebrated conceptual sculptor and material alchemist Tom Friedman, called Looking Up. The gargantuan work was originally carved in foam and covered in crushed-aluminum baking pans, then through molds and lost wax casting recreated in stainless steel.
Hope Outdoor Gallery
Launched in 2011 with the support of Shepard Fairey and Obey Giant Art, the Hope Outdoor Gallery provides a platform for local graffiti artists, muralists, and community groups to display their work. The multilevel space, located at 11th and Baylor, beautifies a forgotten part of the city and serves as a meeting point for artists—all with an incredible view of the city. Hope is one of the largest outdoor galleries in the U.S., and the walls are densely covered with a flourish of positive imagery and messages. The dynamic and ever-changing sprayed collage is definitely worth the trip.
Monochrome for Austin
The Texas-born artist Nancy Rubins is known for her colossal sculptures made from hulking objects like jet wings, boats, and even components of amusement park rides. Her work takes the form of material conglomerations or explosions; the dynamic forms possibly the result of a violent, clashing tornado. The Monochrome for Austin sculpture was commissioned by the University of Texas and is comprised of unpainted aluminum canoes—a nice nod to the beloved sport that takes place in Austin’s lake. Strung together with prominent steal cabling, the work bursts forth from a grounded pillar perfectly balanced, defying gravity, and frozen in the moment of action.
Cathedral of Junk
Tucked into a sleepy south-side Austin neighborhood, the Cathedral of Junk is not what you might expect. Invisible from the city street, it is the life’s work of the vernacular artist (or “yardist”) Vince Hannemann. Composed of an estimated six tons of pure junk, bicycle pieces, old televisions, spare springs, scraps of metal, colorful plastics, and all kinds of knickknacks have a home in the cathedral. Since 1988 Vince has methodically constructed his ornamented chambers, hallways, and towers of carefully sorted and artistically placed trash. He boasts in the construction’s strength against Texas-sized thunderstorms. Over the years, the work has grown in large part to visitor’s donations to Vince—so if you plan a trip, make sure to bring him a unique scrap.
Art in Public Places
Beginning in 1985, the city of Austin was the first in Texas to mandate that works of art should be purchased and commissioned for all new construction. As a result, artworks can be found in the airport, libraries, parks, and streets throughout Austin. A few highlights are the formed iron Trilobite Shade by Chris Levack in a skate park, the neon emanating Confabulating Orbits by Ben Livingston at the convention center, and the Big Chiller Blues tile installation by Ann Adams on a parking garage. The city recently announced an artist-led community garden as part of the project, and it's opening soon. An interactive map of the many artworks that dapple the city can be found here.
The Color Inside
The cylindrical Skyspace set in the heart of the University of Texas campus is 84th in Turrell’s infamous series, and one of the twelve that are accessible by the public. The structure serves as a crisp, meditative room with a central oculus used to view the opalescent color spectrums of sunrise and sunset. During this time, the walls surrounding the oculus subtly shift colors to compliment and further exaggerate the optical sensations of color theory. During the day, the structure is also an incredible place to visit and absorb the hues of the Texas sky. A popular free destination, reservations can be made to secure your experience of the sunset or sunrise light display.
Circle With Towers
Yet another acquisition by the University of Texas is the cement block sculpture Circle of Towers by the famous conceptualist and minimalist Sol LeWitt. The 25-foot diameter ring, intersected by 14-foot towers is set in front of the Bill and Melinda Gates Computer Science Complex. The gridded construction evokes a concept of progress and momentum in line with the sciences. One of LeWitt’s last works, the large piece serves as a meeting place and hang out for faculty and students, and subtly engages the spatial play and dimensional geometry that characterized the artist’s extensive body of work.
