An artist-driven, community-based public project, Drawing Lines was commissioned in response to Austin’s historic political transformation.
“Drawing Lines pairs an artist with each of the city’s newly drawn city council districts to co-create a work with the residents of the district,” says Lynn Osgood, project lead and principal at GO collaborative. “The project explores how art itself, as a process, can become part of the conversation about Austin’s newly structured political system.”
Each of the Austin-based Drawing Lines artists dedicated months as artists-in-residence getting to know their districts ultimately responding with projects co-created with the residents of their district reflecting their unique and dynamic communities. All of the Drawing Lines events are free and open to the public.
Drawing Lines artist projects include:
District 1: /Person/Place/Thing
ARTISTS: Los Outsiders
Cement Loop (5811 Berkman Dr. Ste. 140)
October 23 – November 6, 2015
Opening party October 23, 2015
Exploring District One through community, memory, and object, Los Outsiders is gathering stories and mementos from the residents in the district. They will curate an exhibition of personal objects and imagery and use interviews and portraiture to capture the everyday memories that weave residents together and to the places they call home.
District 2: Portraits
ARTISTS: Deborah S. Esquenazi and Carrie Kenny
Dove Springs Recreation Center (5801 Ainez Dr)
Opening party October 24, 2015 from 12-2 p.m.
Capturing the faces, street scenes, and maps of District Two experienced during the artists’ explorations of the area, the footage will be shaped into a longer, experimental video piece that will become part of a documentary installation. An audio component will allow visitors to hear the voices of the people while experiencing their images projected in large scale enveloping the viewer in the lives and stories of those who call District Two home.
District 4: Youth Voices in the Four
ARTIST: Zell Miller III
Gus Garcia Recreation Center (1201 E Rundberg Ln)
Public Reading October 24, 2015 from 4-6 p.m.
Growing up in the district as a young boy himself, the relationship between the children and the community surrounding them became the focal point early on in the project for Zell Miller III. An award-winning leader of poetry, theater, and hip hop, he will present a public reading of poetry written by the youth in the district, one of the most diverse areas of the city with the highest densities of children.
District 5: Share
ARTIST: Sonya Cote and The Homegrown Revival
Cherry Creek Community Garden (5618 Bayton Loop)
Ongoing
Wild Plant Walk November 8 at 2 p.m.
District 6: Roboticelli (working title)
ARTIST: Josef Kristofoletti
November (TBD) – ongoing installation
District 7: Wish Lantern
ARTIST: Teruko Nimura
Beverly Sheffield Park (7000 Ardath St)
Opening Ceremony October 29, 2015 at 6 p.m.
October 29 – November 5, 2015
In Asian cultures, many community festivals utilize the lantern as a symbol of hope, love, the spirit, and contemplation. Inspired by these traditions, artist Teruko Nimura is working with area residents to create origami wish lanterns that will be used to create an illuminated corridor along the bridge at Beverly Sheffield Park.
District 8: $3333.33 Plant Give Away
ARTISTS: Patrick Bresnan and Ivete Lucas
Natural Gardener (8648 Old Bee Caves Rd)
Performance November 7, 2015 from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
District 9: Construction Event
ARTIST: Jack Sanders
Elizabet Ney Museum (304 E 44th St)
October 28 – November 15, 2015 Talks with the Artist on Wednesdays at 7 p.m.
District 10: Sound Atlas
ARTIST: Steve Parker
The Contemporary Austin Laguna Gloria
Ongoing
In early 2016, the ten district projects will come together in one citywide exhibition reflecting on the new 10-1 political structure, the dynamic cultural life of each of the districts, and thus the city itself. For more information about Drawing Lines and the participating artists, please visit: www.drawinglinesaustin.com.
