New art sparks conversation on downtown Austin’s Hike-and-Bike Trail

A unique art installment titled ‘Conversation Stones’ by local artist Diego Miroě-Rivera has recently been installed on the renowned Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail in downtown Austin, aiming to inspire conversation and community amongst the city’s residents and visitors alike.

Austin’s Art In Public Places Program (AIPP)

This installment forms a part of ‘Tempo’, a collaborative temporary public art program under the City of Austin Economic Development Department’s Art in Public Places Program (AIPP) and the Trail Conservancy. The primary goal of these initiatives is to cultivate curiosity, promote tourism, and engage communities in meaningful dialogues about public art. ‘Tempo’ particularly involves local artists to create revolving art experiences at specific locations, with each artist being given a budget of $25,000 to conceive, fabricate and set up their pieces.

About the ‘Conversation Stones’

The ‘Conversation Stones’ were selected to adorn the lawn of International Shores, a space that borders Lady Bird Lake east of Interstate-35. The installation includes 32 alluvial stones (river stones naturally polished by the continuous action of water), curated from Williamson County, assembled in a formation that conjures up and fosters different forms of conversation.

The artist has also created a patchwork of pathways in the grass surrounding the installation, inviting visitors to engage with the space and each other in a tangible way. The very decision to sit on a stone becomes a signal to the community that the individual is open to a conversation. The intended arrangements range from clusters of six stones encouraging roundtable conversations, teaching or performance arrangements, to more intimate pairings, and even solitary stones facilitating inward conversation.

Response from the community

This artistic endeavor has been warmly received by Austinites and visitors. Hanna Cofer, Interim CEO of The Trail Conservancy, expressed in a press release, “We believe art has the power to connect people to their environment in meaningful ways. By inviting artists to create temporary installations along the trail, we hope to foster a deeper connection between our community and the natural world that surrounds us.”

Photos and additional information about ‘Conversation Stones’ are accessible on Instagram and on the Trail Conservancy website. With its dual aim to elevate public spaces while fostering community interaction and awareness, this art installation beautifully exemplifies the city of Austin’s commitment to engendering a deep connection between art and its denizens.

The culture of lowriders comes to Austin

In other news, downtown Austin is all geared up to host the Bullock Texas State History Museum’s new exhibit ‘Carros y Cultura: Lowriding Legacies in Texas’, which celebrates the culture of lowriders. It’s slated to run from May 11 through September 2, 2024, showcasing an impressive collection of seven cars and five bikes among other lowrider artifacts. The exhibition covers facets of music, fashion and more, acknowledging cultures from San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, Houston, and Laredo, amongst others. Visitors can look forward to an array of interactive experiences that promise to make this exhibition a unique affair.