Nashville's I-65/Arthur Avenue Underpass is set for a transformation, with the Metro Nashville Arts Commission tapping the talents of Alex Braden for an innovative public art installation. Braden, a renowned multimedia artist, is known for his thought-provoking works that leverage light, sound, and installation to reshape environments and their narratives. The North Nashville community, historically impacted by the disruptive construction of the interstate, will witness their space reborn through Braden's "Be As Water" project, which will incorporate advanced LED lighting and custom features to re-energize the area.

The initiative aims not just to enhance aesthetics but also to fulfill a practical need—brighter lighting, as requested by local residents, the installation is not just a nod to the creative spirit but also addresses real-world concerns for better illumination. Braden's concept promises murals and benches, further enriching the underpass with an engaging and reflective experience, his promise to the resident is to deliver a blend of creativity and utility that keeps its history and future in keen balance. According to Nashville.gov, the artist expressed his approach: "I'm committed to moving forward with the openness, curiosity, and reverence that this artwork and this community deserve."

Estimated for completion in 2025, "Be As Water" will soon join the prestigious Metro Public Art Collection, which is projected to house over 250 pieces by the year's end. The local populace will get a sneak peek at the proposed plans during a community engagement event to be held at Morgan Park on Saturday, July 13. Residents are poised to play an active role in the artwork’s development, providing input for the final design in the coming months, guided by Metro Arts in collaboration with transportation agencies.

The project's budget totals half a million dollars, with the lion's share derived from the Percent for Art fund, supplemented by contributions from the Nashville Department of Transportation—symbolic of the city's continued investment in cultural initiatives. The catalyst came in the form of a $75,000 NEA Our Town grant which underlines the emphasis on community, creativity, and tackling infrastructural legacy through the arts furthermore, the initiative stands as a testament to collaborative endeavor with involvement spanning from local artists and activists to government departments which brings to bear the potential for art to influence and meld with urban life.

NDOT Director Diana Alarcon lauded the cooperative spirit that propelled the project forward, underlining the importance of integrating art into municipal projects. Alarcon told Nashville.gov, “This has truly been a group effort that shows how fun and creative transportation projects can be. I’m excited to use this as a model for future multimodal projects across Nashville.” The underpass project hence is more than mere beautification; it's a blueprint for the symbiotic relationship between urban planning and the artistic expression that shapes our public spaces and collective experiences.