Street Art & Airport Art in Austin, TX – (Lens-Artist Photo Challenge #170-17OCT2021)

Posted on by Prior...

 

Hello Readers, the Lens-artist theme is Street Art this week.

Initially I was “only” going to feature an art installation at the Austin, Texas airport; however, I realized that the art connected to the entire central Texas area and so decided to show part of that in today’s post. 

Here is the street art installation from the Austin airport – called “Uplifted Ground” – 2015 – by Michael Singer Studio.

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I had three phases with my opinion about this art installation.
My first take?
I thought the art was interesting with a quiet strength. The shapes, layers, textures, material, and light had this interplay within the vertical and horizontal combinations. A unique masterpiece.

 

The second phase for me was that this modern art display had a not-so-modern vibe. It was almost like looking down on home remains from a village that existed centuries ago.


All the tan and cream felt a little boring. And for some reason – it reminded me of rows of buildings in Toronto. Not sure if you have ever seen some of the high rises in Toronto Canada – but I remember Anthony Bourdain once commented on the drab buildings in Toronto and then later we understood what he meant (and by the way – the Anthony Bourdain “book” was on sale at the airport and looks interesting).

Amyhow, that second drab phase led to a third phase with this “Uplifted Ground” art –

The third phase unfolded when I saw how this installation connected to the geological formations and natural stone found around the Central Texas area and springs- this color scheme and design was quite “Austin Intentional”- 

I went through some photos of the Austin area and saw the connection even more.

The following collages show the connection to the airport art and also show more street art:


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Here are some thumb nail shots of the Uplifting Ground installation to show setting:

And did you know the Austin airport also had lots of other tasty art in addition to the walk-way installation? They get a gold star for their art!

In closing, I realized that there is another type of street art.

It is the beautiful sun ☀️

🙂

 

Appreciate your visit 

LAPC hosts and  then the other hosts are: Leya, Amy, Tina

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61 thoughts on “Street Art & Airport Art in Austin, TX – (Lens-Artist Photo Challenge #170-17OCT2021)”

    1. Thanks for sharing that – I also think I would have liked some organic shakes in that installation – because so much of the geological formations that is mired this has curves and flowing shapes.
      ☀️

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  5. Your usual collection of fabulous photos, Yvette. For all of the skill and talent on display there, I think my favourite has to be the Sun!

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  9. Must admit since beauty is in the eye of the beholder, that the installation doesn’t especially appeal to me. Maybe better in person??? But is does illustrate that there are many forms of art, each unique with its own appeal. Personally I prefer your closing artwork 😊

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    1. Hi Tina
      Such a good reminder about how beauty does vary for each of us – and I also see myself change over the years – for example – some art pieces I loved in 2008 DO NOT appeal to me anymore –
      And thanks for sharing your take about the airport art – I think it needs music and maybe some colored lights – but it looks like a team of folks made that installation

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  10. Street art has so many connotations now, doesn’t it? Witness Ann-Christine’s post. For me, I like strong visual impact, Yvette. I saw a superb example, across a car park, this weekend. It deserves a share but I’m trying to avoid the challenge system on my newer blog. Always good to look, though..

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    1. Hi Jo
      Thanks for the feedback and it sounds like you have some good boundaries in place with your blog mode – and by the way – is free link to your new blog anywhere on your old blog? Because your gravatat for comments leads us to the old blog and I tried to access the new one and did not find the link??

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        2. Just popped back to tell you that I fixed it! An easy adjustment in my account settings, with a nudge in the right direction from the WP help team. Thanks a lot!

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      2. Incidentally, hon, I just looked at the Gravatar and there is a direct link there to Still Rjo if you scroll down to the bottom? Not sure if I need to do anything further. Tech has never been my strength!

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        3. Yes, annoyingly I don’t think I can change that, Yvette, because the 2 blogs seem to be irretrievably linked, even though I can no longer use the old one. Have to put my thinking head on, or pester those happiness folks at WP. Sorry!

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  11. Eyes well open. The Austin art reminded me of the Holocaust memorial in Berlin. Very different shapes, but a similar feeling. Quite an impressive place to be in. 🙏🏻

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    1. Wow- you know I have not seen the Berlin memorial for the Holocaustbut now that you mention that – this uplifting ground art really did have a cemetery kind of feel – just this last couple days I realized they should have added more organic shapes and curves to this because it would better match the terrAin there – and it would take away the drab feeling

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    1. Hi Dan – i guess it was installed in 2015 and I bet was commissioned or the idea started around 2010- and Austin’s slogan is “keep
      Austin weird” and encouraging plenty of public art will help them do that!

      Liked by 1 person

  14. How insightful of you to illustrate and explain your thoughts about these varied art installations. I think you need to see the airport art in person. Of course, Sacramento airport has a big red rabbit in the baggage department! Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!! Your photos are great!

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    1. Anne – I would like to see that red rabbit!
      And I agree that seeing art in person really changes things a so many times I find I change my view on some pieces- either I liked a print or digital version or I preferred the in-person experience – it varies
      Thanks for the comment and cheers to lots of varied art for all of our varying tastes

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  15. I have never been to Texas, but a fellow blogger and her husband just moved to Ohio from Austin. They spent the last few years living there while she and her husband both completed graduate studies. Mackenzie did many features on Austin during their stay, especially from a foodie standpoint, but also the Riverwalk, the bustling town, some parks and some eclectic artwork in the city. I would think it would be a great place to live and work. I enjoyed the collage Yvette, but your sunset by Mother Nature was the best of the bunch.

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    1. Hi Linda
      Appreciate your feedback and was wondering if you had a link to her blog or website –
      I think it is interesting that she left the area (after her studies) for Ohio – and as nice as Austin is – I am not sure i would ever want to Live there – and with that said I can see why so many folks like it – and I guess it is one of the fastest growing cities since 2010 and maybe since 2000

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      1. Hi Yvette – I just tracked back to Mackenzie’s last post, which has a a nice mural in it and mostly food … she’s very much a foodie and writes and photographs many of her meals, including coffee. I started following her about four years ago when her and her husband lived in San Francisco. He had a P.R. job and she was an E.R. nurse and decided it was a stressful job and she began studies to be a physician’s assistant. They are in their 20s and I think one of her posts about Michigan migrated to me and her grandparents live in Traverse City – it was a post about them. So they moved to Austin, maybe two years ago after her husband (DJ) decided to pursue a masters degree and he was accepted at that university so they moved there. She continued her studies and he graduated and got a job in Ohio (Cleveland I think). They are both from there to begin with so they’ve come full circle. If you track back from this post, you’ll see posts around the Austin area.
        https://wordpress.com/read/blogs/33750902/posts/57161

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        2. Enjoy Yvette – maybe it will bring some fond memories of your time in Austin. Mackenzie and DJ got a puppy about a month or so ago – with the exception of the addition of “Moose” to their family, most of her posts are where she visits or where she runs.

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        4. Okay – because of the rigors of school, her internship/studies, etc., she only posted about once a month and during that time, some of the posts were about her sister’s wedding and some family get togethers. But she did post some beautiful shots of Austin and her and her husband had a little “staycation in the City” just before they moved and stayed in a hotel and saw Austin as a tourist might. She loves her coffee and food – she is a vegetarian.

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  18. I really enjoyed “Uplifted Ground,” and your interpretation of it. Loved the “keep Austin weird” thing. Maybe we all should think about that.

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  19. Checking in with you to see what’s up. I’ve been to Austin once, but it was during a hurricane so I saw little of it! My husband, who loved Austin’s tagline, wanted me to call my blog Keep Ally Weird!

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    1. Hi Ally! That is so fun how your name might have been called Ally Weird!
      And it must have been crazy to visit Austin during a hurricane time.
      Oh and thanks for dropping by! Smiled to see your comment show up 😊

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    1. Hi – cheers to Stevie Ray and Manja – later on I will try and post some
      Larger versions of the art – I was not sure how much interest there would be so I went with thumbnails – I will link your blog when I get to do that and thanks for your comment 😉

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  21. The simplicity earthy art work is pleasing to look at. It does remind me of archeological digs or sites that were unearthed. It must be fascinating to see it with the light effects. Your post is so unique in comparison to other street art.

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    1. Hi – I appreciate your comment and I actually at first thought of featuring more traditional street art ((because my archives have a handful of gems waiting for the right post)) but when I went to look for images – I really took a chance with this airport art and so I am pleased it was received well. The photos were also very recent and usually I wait to post – so they were hit off the press!
      Anyhow – I am still conflicted about how I feel about the installation – it is beautiful and the light does change it as the layers also pull you in. But something drab too – and I feel bad saying that. Hm
      Thanks again for the comment and hope you have a great day

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  22. Great photos and enjoyed reading your various takes on the airport art. And so creative that you added “the sun” as another street art. God creates the best stuff!!

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    1. Hi – thanks for checking out the airport art. And cheers to God as master artist – and my husband has some health coach friends – one of them is “STE” on IG/Facebook – and he has a thing called the “sunrise club” where folks share their photos of a sunrise – and it is also supposed to stimulate hormones and helps one wake up to enjoy the sunrise – ☀️🤘

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