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Lance Armstrong Bikeway art dedication
Have you seen those yellow things out on the trail around Lady Bird Lake?
I have to confess. At first I thought some of them were random bits of construction materials.
Turns out it’s the latest public art project commissioned by the city of Austin Art in Public Places program for the Lance Armstrong Bikeway, an east-west, 6-mile bike route through downtown Austin.
The series of wide yellow steel loops come in different sizes and shapes. Some are as tall as a person; others are about thigh level. Some double as benches; two are sculptural “tunnels.” There’s also a painted gradient in several spots.
The artwork is designed to help people find and stay on the bikeway. Some of the pieces double as rest stop amenities along the way.
The 27 pieces are the creation of artist collective NextProject, made up of Leah Davis, Robert Gay and Jack Sanders. They’ll discuss the work and lead a guided tour of the bikeway at a dedication of the public art on Saturday, June 12.
I’m guessing the yellow signifies the yellow jersey local cyclist Armstrong claimed in his record seven Tour de France victories.
An early-bird art ride will kick off the event at 8:30 a.m., as part of the “Scout-A-Route” ride series by the Austin Cycling Association. That ride will start at Mellow Johnny’s, 400 Nueces St. The ride will include stops at various art installations along the route, with commentary from the artists.
At 10:30 a.m., the ride will stop at the MoPac Bridge along Veterans Drive for a formal dedication, ribbon cutting ceremony and performance by the Austin Bike Zoo.
Afterward, the group will ride 2 miles back to Mellow Johnny’s.
The entire 12-mile ride is open to the public. Helmets are required. The route includes on-street and off-street marked paths from Veterans Drive on the west to Shady Lane on the east.
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