Babble
Lucas Greco & Reeve Hunter
Babble is a light-hearted contemplation of our changing perceptions of Waller Creek. Together, the sights and sounds of the installation call visitors to break from the bustle of busy lives and experience anew and upclose the burbling waterways pulsing calmly through our city.
Three types of corrugated roofing panels, sharing a common form but contrasting in color and character, come together to form illuminated heads of extraordinary size from ordinary construction materials. Speakers are installed among the faces producing muttering sounds of voices and babbling fading in and out while contrasting tones and melodies intermingle in unique ways depending on the viewer’s vantage point.
Sponsored by
The Creek Keeper
Jake Rosenberg, Clayton Lillard, Mateo Gutierrez, Chris Haddad, Chandler Goen, and Liza Fishbone
Once upon a time, The Creek Keeper emerged from the depths of Waller Creek to protect its folklore and remind us of the vital connection between environment and culture.
A towering snapping turtle-like monster made from recycled materials, the installation invites us to explore the creek’s unique identity and inspires us to take action in preserving our natural world. Join us on a journey of discovery and conservation, as we honor the stories of the past and light up the future of our planet.
Sponsored by
Crescendo
Alex Martin & Max Hoffman
Crescendo represents the heartbeat of Austin and the Red River Cultural District—music.
The installation at Symphony Square is an array of repurposed sheet music stands with color-changing panels of light. Stop by for a song or two to enjoy an orchestrated light show!
Sponsored by
Into the Wild
Nolan Stone & Ryan Blair
In a rapidly urbanizing world, our few remaining wild places exist in the form of urban creeks and greenbelts.
Into the Wild is a plea for wilder cities that highlights the life that still exists within. The flora and fauna that reside in these spaces have existed here long before humans and the resilient remainders were required to adapt to human development. Once the daylight wanes and the moonlight illuminates the water, the creek comes alive reminding us of what once was and what could be.
Sponsored by
Kaleidoscope Dreams
Ruben Esquivel, Heath Speakman & Kat Talley
Kaleidoscope Dreams is an exploration of light and form, where UV-reactive archways create a dazzling display of illuminated diamonds, prisms, and colors. These radiant structures serve as pathways, inviting attendees to journey through an immersive spectacle. As you enter the installation, a cluster of glowing triangles extrudes from the wall, beckoning you to venture within. These luminous forms symbolize transformation and offer passage from one realm to another. They emphasize the profound power of art to transport us to new dimensions of understanding.
The installation explores the interplay of light, form, and imagination, where every visitor becomes an integral part of the narrative. It stands as a testament to the enduring power of art to evoke wonder, inspire contemplation, and forge connections within our vibrant community. Join us on this radiant journey as we embrace the beauty of Austin’s natural and cultural tapestry, woven together by art, imagination, and the luminous glow of our shared experience.
Sponsored by
Melting Mirrors
Topher Sipes & Jasna Boudard
Melting Mirrors is a multi-layered video installation, featuring digitally manipulated slow-motion video of the flow and movement of the water surface of Waller Creek.
The installation features multiple parallel screens of translucent fabric as staggered surfaces for the video content, allowing the projected light to pass through each layer to the next and simulating slices of a holographic cone for viewers as they pass by. This 3-dimensional experience facilitates viewing depth above and beneath the creek’s surface through the interplay of water with light.
Sponsored by
Puzzle Grass
Barna Kantor, Kyle Evans & Brandon Stargrave
Puzzle Grass (Equisetum) is a genus of plants considered “living fossils” as they predate the dinosaurs, yet examples can still be found today along Waller Creek. The tall plants, also called “horsetail,” resemble miniature bamboo stalks and thrive wherever they are planted. We evoke the nodal anatomy of puzzle grass through an installation of light poles that light up in various temporal waves visualizing the Creek’s flow.” The installation stands in the midline and follows the natural curve of the Creek, both dividing and uniting the two banks.
Sponsored by
Riot
Maria Berrios & JuanRaymon Rubio
Riot is a memorial installation that showcases the Battle of Waller Creek and offers a reflection on the destruction of Austin’s natural landscape. The design gives viewers insight into the history of the protest and also considers the aftermath of a notable political and environmental fight.
Sponsored by
2023 Creek Show Selection Committee
Ingrid Spencer
Executive Director, AIA Austin & Austin Foundation for Architecture
Meredith Bossin
Managing Director, AIA Austin
Melba Whatley
Creek Show Co-Founder
Donald Miller
Director of Programming, Waterloo Greenway
Taylor Davis
Designer, TBG Partners
Kira Dell
Conservation Leader
Ernest Ramirez
Artist & Owner, Muertos Clothing Co.
Sunny Schneberger
Former Creek Show Artist
Drew Wilson
Project Architect, Sidetracked Studio
Norma Yancy
Principal, Sidetracked Studio