Whirl of Art
Art Towers by city: 
Flow of Austin, TX               

This art piece honors the natural beauty of Austin while embracing the city’s unique, eclectic spirit.

Atop a sturdy pedestal, a kinetic sculpture will depict a swirling, dynamic mass of bats—a nod to the iconic Congress Street bats that have become a symbol of the city. These colorful bats will take flight, powered by movement and mirroring the joy of people riding the nearby merry-go-round.

The pedestal’s interior features a continuous shimmer wall, wrapping around to reflect the interconnectedness of Austin’s four major bodies of water: Lady Bird Lake, Lake Austin, Lake Travis, and Barton Creek. Along this water-inspired display, small 2D artworks from multiple mixed-media artists will showcase local talent, blending seamlessly into the landscape representation.

On the exterior, vibrant, colorful murals will capture the essence of Austin's "weirdness"—a visual celebration of the city’s love for graffiti art, its playful homage to Eeyore’s Birthday, and its enduring passion for live music. These murals will embody the free-spirited and artistic energy that makes Austin truly one-of-a-kind.

At night, the art piece transforms into a glowing, vibrant beacon of light and art. The interior of the base pedestal will be backlit, with slowly changing colors to accentuate the shimmering effect that brings the flowing water patterns to life. The exterior outline of the structure will be illuminated with LED lights, ensuring that each mural is highlighted in the most impactful way, allowing its intricate details to shine through the night. The kinetic sculpture atop the pedestal will also come alive after dark, with colorful solar-powered lights casting a radiant glow on each bat. As the bats swirl and take flight, the lighting will enhance their movement, making their nighttime journey just as mesmerizing as it is during the day. The entire installation will blend seamlessly into the nighttime landscape, becoming a luminous representation of Austin's energy and creativity.

Note: Main WoA rendering still displays a guitar sculpture for Austin. That design has been changed with new art lead joining the team.