Crazy Random Question: Blue Signs Under Downtown Lamar Rail Bridge (Austin: title, car)

[thesonofgray]

I've passed them soooooo many times and every time I drive myself crazy trying to determine their purpose.

If you don't know what I'm talking about, you can kind of see them attached to the retaining walls in this aerial view: Your web browser and the Maps site are incompatible

So anyone have any ideas???

[atxcio]

They are a work of art called "moments" by Carl Trominski. Here is some info about it: City of Austin.

also Blue Panels on Lamar Underpass | Austin Metblogs. The concept for the art sounds much more exciting than the actual result.

There is also a mural painted in the center support of that bridge. It is a memorial by a mother to her son -- mary boyd

It was accidentally painted over by city workers (it had achieved "do not touch" status) in 2001, but she came back and painted it again. I think it is now an "art in public places" protected piece now, but I can't find it on the city AIPP list.

[Cardiff Giant]

Originally Posted by atxcio

The concept for the art sounds much more exciting than the actual result.

So true. I never did quite see what the artist was attempting to convey.

[thesonofgray]

Originally Posted by atxcio

They are a work of art called "moments" by Carl Trominski. Here is some info about it: City of Austin.

also Blue Panels on Lamar Underpass | Austin Metblogs. The concept for the art sounds much more exciting than the actual result.

There is also a mural painted in the center support of that bridge. It is a memorial by a mother to her son -- mary boyd

It was accidentally painted over by city workers (it had achieved "do not touch" status) in 2001, but she came back and painted it again. I think it is now an "art in public places" protected piece now, but I can't find it on the city AIPP list.

I was afraid of that. So much for finding a "purpose" for the blue panels.

The artist's original concept (from the blog you linked to) sounds much more interesting, but as usual money posed a problem:

This was not the artist’s original concept. The Railroad Commission was supposed to provide electricity for blue lighting under the bridge and the walls were to be painted blue and green but time and money ran out. The concept for the project was to seem like you were going under water when you drove under the bridge. The artist was not pleased with the results...

[atlanta hope]

I feel bad for the artist -- it would never occur to me in a million years that you felt like you were under water. It looks like some kind of traffic signage!?!

[LeoZ]

What do y'all think about maybe revamping the project? Would the oceanic art be worth finishing it?

[thesonofgray]

Originally Posted by LeoZ

What do y'all think about maybe revamping the project? Would the oceanic art be worth finishing it?

It'd be great to revamp that underpass, since that area is developing quite nicely. Although, I'm not sure if the whole neon blue signs is the way to go.

[tongpa-nyi]

I think the best way to revamp that project is to get rid of it. I'm all for public art, such as the giant guitars that were placed around town, but those blue signs are ridiculous. Might as well throw your litter out of your car and call it "art."

This reminds me of a "scupture" that was prominently displayed in Santa Barbara when I was growing up there in the 1970s. It was just two giant ugly metal boxes, and it was titled "The Elevens Are Up." Yeah, it looked like a huge 11... And it also looked like someone had dumped their rusted metal trash there in the shape of an 11. The city paid to have it shown there. Amazing.

[CarnivalGal]

So, the city spent $45,000 on this "art" and it's not complete because it ran out of money? Now I don't know what the going rate for blue signs is, but that seems a little steep to me.

[LeoZ]

I know, right? Like for years I would wonder what the hell those blue things were, and now I know!
I personally think it would be interesting at least to finish what was started, although in a more effective manner than tacky blue pieces of metal stacked on the sides of the underpass. Although more than $45,000 would be not the best use of money...