Austin's cultural scene is about to get a historic injection from troupe Teresa Hubbard and Alexander Birchler. Their new video art installation, "Past Deposits from a Future Yet to Come," is set to turn heads at the Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park come March 2. This visual narrative will showcase Waller Creek artifacts, dating back from the mid-19th to mid-20th centuries, and will be up for viewing nightly for the next five years, except during special events, as reported by CBS Austin.
The installation intends to graphically unfold stories of Austin's yesteryears through artifacts that the artists came across, languishing in the storage of the Texas Archeological Research Laboratory at the University of Texas at Austin. Teresa Hubbard and Alexander Birchler said, "It has been exciting to consider this place through its historical traces of presence and absence–giving equal weight to what has remained and what has been washed away over the course of thousands of years," as per Waterloo Greenway.
Not to be overlooked, the audio experience accompanying the visuals is nothing short of impressive. Alex Weston, a New York-based composer lauded for his Academy Award-shortlisted score in 2020, brings an audial dimension. Weston had previously teamed up with Hubbard and Birchler on their project "Flora" for the 57th Venice Biennale.
Jesús Aguirre, CEO of Waterloo Greenway said, "The way Past Deposits brings these ordinary objects to life is truly inspiring." Aguirre's pride in the piece is palpable as he elaborates on its significance to the local heritage, saying, "Educating our community on the rich and important history of Waller Creek is central to our mission at Waterloo Greenway." This statement underscores the installation's aim to deeply connect visitors not just to art but to the storied layers of the community's past, according to Waterloo Greenway.
