November 13, 2007
SOL-ART @ E.A.S.T. Austin Studio Tour
November 17 from 10am-11pm and November 18 from 10am-5pm
SOL-ART (1141 Perry Rd)
[info]
Some of Austin's finest artists filmmakers, writers, photographers, musicians, and other creative souls will gather in full celebration mode to raise awareness of the project and take part in SOL-ART, a large-scale, collaborative installation on the future site of the development as part of the East Austin Studio Tour. The free event takes place November 17-18 and will feature more than 18 artists -- including Sybil Miller, Amy Grappell, Heidi Stanfield, Sean Gaulager, and Peter Tucker.
More on the development and the event after the jump...
SOL hopes to be the first zero energy community in the U.S, meaning each of the homes will produce as much energy as it consumes over the course of a year. The project is the brainchild of Chris Krager and Associates who have dedicated their craft to sustainable, affordable stylish design in and around Austin. There will be 38+ houses in the development and construction will begin in December with the houses ready for occupancy by October 2008.
SOL-ART will feature artwork, ranging from photographs, paintings, interactive video, and mixed-media pieces. It will occupy two 70-year homes on the property and four 8 by 40-feet shipping containers, which were brought to the tract especially for the event. Daytime live music by Cole Stanfield and numerous interactive installations make SOL-ART a kid-friendly spot on the tour. And come nighttime, an opening party with music by DJ Kirk will spin the party into high gear. Once it gets going, after all, creativity is sustainable. So join the festivities to raise awareness of this innovative new project.
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1. Three miles east isn't "central Austin"
B. A cluster of houses from which everybody has to drive every time they need groceries, art supplies, etc isn't environmentally sustainable at all. Even if the houses themselves are zero-energy; transportation is more damaging locally than energy production is.
A. Um, Mike, I think Paige said Central Texas.
2. At least they are trying. And what if all the residents buy a Prius? :)
1. Just wait.
B. Intermediate steps are necessary, even if they're not as desirable as those that follow. If it helps, think of it as a stylistic, miniture version of just another suburb, only with a lighter footprint.
A perusal of the map shows Sol-Art is only about 3/4 mile from Airport & 183. I think there's grovery store there, so that should be easy biking/walking distance.
Also, HEB at E. 7th & Pleasant Valley is only 1.5 miles. That's an easy bike ride for those so inclined.
3/4 mile is too far for groceries by foot, and biking sucks. (I know; I chose this house thinking I'd do the 3/4 mile walk after walking almost every day to Fresh Plus from our condo in Clarksville. 3/4 mile is not remotely feasible, as it turns out).
Sorry, Paige. I had just finished a conversation this morning with a cow orker who thought it was funny they were calling SWAT Gun Standoff Locale "North Austin" and it must have stuck in my brane.
Benj, these intermediate steps are actually backwards. You can't bring density and good transportation stuff way out there when everything else out there is sprawly crap, even if this one tract ends up perfect. The hippie ideal of moving out to the country, in other words, is actually a step in the wrong direction, unless you're going to grow all your own food or something.
should read "biking for groceries sucks". and if you know me at all, you know I'm Biking Fan #1.
Biking for groceries doesn't have to suck.
I'm getting one of these with my next tax return. http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/05/xtracycle_like.php
Videos all over YouTube, pics all over Flickr. They rock. http://flickr.com/search/?q=xtracycle&w=all
Not to be anal retentive, but the dates are conflicting in the story and sidebar. I'm guessing it's Sat. and Sun.?
Having lived in this city for over 3 years without a car, it turns out that you can, indeed, get groceries and art supplies without one.
By the way, the #17 bus stops right near there, so you're not completely cut off from the world.