Arts Commission approves final design for convention center garage

Austin is getting a new public art piece on the corner of Second and Brazos streets. Artist Josef Kristofoletti has been approved by the Austin Arts Commission to begin his $74,000 mural that is intended to conceptually represent unity and diversity in the city. Kristofoletti’s color gradation mural will reach from the bottom to the top of the Second Street parking garage and will slowly shift hues to encompass the color spectrum in an effort to embody the vibrant spectrum of ideas and culture exhibited in the Austin Convention Center. What makes this art piece particularly intriguing is the different experiences that one has depending on the speed at which they pass by. Furthermore, as Commissioner Amy Mok noted, due to the reflection of the JW Marriott at certain times of the day, “on a flat surface, this looks like a sculpture.” Commissioner Brett Barnes said that this multifaceted viewer experience is what really impressed the board of Art in Public Places. However, he said, “There were lots of questions about the durability of paint and graffiti, but he addressed it by having a solid color up to 10 feet.” Art in Public Places has already approved the project unanimously according to Barnes. Susan Lambe, the Art in Public Places administrator, said that now the project is approved, “His intention is to start work in November.”

This whisper has been corrected to reflect the correct location of the garage.