Preserve The Conversation Stones As a Community Amenity along Lady Bird Lake
Preserve The Conversation Stones As a Community Amenity along Lady Bird Lake
The Issue
A day spent interacting with the Conversation Stones, the temporary art installation by Diego Miro Rivera, is etched in the memory of my family and me.
These stones provide my family with a terrific place to sit, picnic and connect with community members. The stones feel as if they have been here for ages. When we first encountered them, we wondered if they were placed there or were naturally occurring limestone. The stones provide a great amenity with very little impact. It feels very “Austin”. It is a shame that they are sert to be removed my the end of the month (April).
Why remove public art that works as an amenity and seating area, especially when the cost has already been spent? There are currently no plans to add any more public art to the site. It would just be returned to a plain lawn.
The joy that this work has brought into our community is priceless. The art piece does more than just add beauty; it has increasingly become a part of our daily lives - a place to meditate, to walk your dog, a day relaxing in the park, a scene in my daughter's movie, a backdrop for conversations and connections. These stones now feel natural in our Austin landscape and serve as a resource for the local community.
Numerous community members have expressed similar feelings, describing their experiences with the Stones as transformative and essential for connection. Moreover, this public artwork aligns with Austin's informal and eclectic spirit, encouraging individuals to forge new connections through communal experiences.
This piece was commissioned through the Trail Conservancy's Temporary art program (TEMPO), providing the artist a one-year contract. We believe this should be reconsidered, given the stones' immense significance and influence in our community life.
We urge the Trail Conservancy and Parks and Recreation Department to revise their initial plan and retain Conversation Stones permanently – as a testament to the community's love for art, nature, and camaraderie.
Preserve these unique, meaningful stones touched by countless hands and hearts. Please join us in this petition to keep the Conversation Stones in their place and sign today.
https://tribeza.com/arts/austin-conversation-stones-lady-bird-lake/
248
The Issue
A day spent interacting with the Conversation Stones, the temporary art installation by Diego Miro Rivera, is etched in the memory of my family and me.
These stones provide my family with a terrific place to sit, picnic and connect with community members. The stones feel as if they have been here for ages. When we first encountered them, we wondered if they were placed there or were naturally occurring limestone. The stones provide a great amenity with very little impact. It feels very “Austin”. It is a shame that they are sert to be removed my the end of the month (April).
Why remove public art that works as an amenity and seating area, especially when the cost has already been spent? There are currently no plans to add any more public art to the site. It would just be returned to a plain lawn.
The joy that this work has brought into our community is priceless. The art piece does more than just add beauty; it has increasingly become a part of our daily lives - a place to meditate, to walk your dog, a day relaxing in the park, a scene in my daughter's movie, a backdrop for conversations and connections. These stones now feel natural in our Austin landscape and serve as a resource for the local community.
Numerous community members have expressed similar feelings, describing their experiences with the Stones as transformative and essential for connection. Moreover, this public artwork aligns with Austin's informal and eclectic spirit, encouraging individuals to forge new connections through communal experiences.
This piece was commissioned through the Trail Conservancy's Temporary art program (TEMPO), providing the artist a one-year contract. We believe this should be reconsidered, given the stones' immense significance and influence in our community life.
We urge the Trail Conservancy and Parks and Recreation Department to revise their initial plan and retain Conversation Stones permanently – as a testament to the community's love for art, nature, and camaraderie.
Preserve these unique, meaningful stones touched by countless hands and hearts. Please join us in this petition to keep the Conversation Stones in their place and sign today.
https://tribeza.com/arts/austin-conversation-stones-lady-bird-lake/
248
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Petition created on March 16, 2025