Street Lamps Are Now Recording and Replaying Your Shadow in Austin

Experience Shadowing through March 18, 2018 (Credit: Chomko and Rosier)

Austin is a unique city, with a vibrant culture that can be directly attributed to our embrace of the arts. So it should come as no surprise that an interactive art exhibit has chosen Austin as home for the next five weeks. In the tradition of keeping it weird, Austin Cultural Arts Division is hosting "Shadowing," an interactive art installation, through March 18, 2018.

This fun art exhibit will be incorporated into several locations across the city. Shadowing is sure to be a crowd pleaser and conversation starter for residents and attendees of SXSW this year.

What Exactly Is Shadowing?

Playable City Austin, a new initiative from Austin Cultural Arts Division, launched in early February 2018. The initiative includes a series of workshops open to the public, special presentations, and Shadowing.

Modified street lamps capture shadows and movements (Credit: Chomko and Rosier)

Shadowing was created by artists Jonathan Chomko and Matthew Rosier. The idea behind the exhibit is to create community engagement in a playful way. After sunset, special street lamps begin to capture the movements of those who walk by. When a person walks under the light, it records the movements of his or her shadow. The recording then displays for the next person to walk through. The artists are able to achieve this affect by using street lamps modified with an infrared camera, illuminator, and projector.

I experienced the exhibit firsthand and it's a lot of fun. Since the sun is still setting earlier, you can venture to the street lamps at a reasonable hour. If you'd like to beat the crowds, I suggest heading to any of the Shadowing locations prior to SXSW (locations listed below). The exhibit will run through the last day of the festival.

What I find unique about this project is that it generates questions. Who's shadow is that? Where are the people going? Where were they coming from? Who is going to see my shadow? This is a creative way to look at the city of Austin and the people who live and work here.

If you don't go seeking the street lamps for the purpose of the art project, but stumble upon them organically, then the dancing shadows come as a pleasant surprise. All ages can enjoy this project.

 Keep reading: "Jumpstart Your Appropriately Weird Tour of Austin Public Art"

Where Can I Find Shadowing in Austin?

Shadowing is fun for kids and adults alike (Credit: Chomko and Rosier)

The street lamps used for this project can be found in six locations throughout Austin. The three east Austin locations are clustered around the intersection of East 11th Street and Navasota Street. The three south Austin locations are located just west of South Congress Avenue, on Monroe Street. Access the map for specific locations.

I hope you check out the Shadowing art installation within the next five weeks. It's free fun for the entire family. Through Shadowing, you can visit a new neighborhood and get to know a little about the people of Austin.

For more information on Shadowing, visit the Austin Cultural Arts Division online.

 

@amandalgagnon wants to know:

What is your favorite public art exhibit in Austin?

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