Old City Infrastructure Becomes a Canvas on the Lake in WaterWork

For two nights in September, the Seaholm Intake Facility will transform into a large-scale projection surface for 15 works by 23 artists as part of WaterWork, a free event produced by Design Austin in partnership with the Trail Conservancy, happening September 25-26. This year’s theme, ‘Transformation,’ focuses on nature, memory, identity, and place in a changing Austin.

Organizers describe the historic facade as becoming a ‘vibrant canvas of art, light and sound,’ although the site carries the legacy of Austin’s former power infrastructure. The Seaholm Intake Facility, completed in 1955, served as a pump house for the Seaholm Power Plant until 1989, drawing water from Lady Bird Lake to cool the plant.

Creative technologist Lauren Schroeder visualizes Seaholm in her piece ‘Cool Vein,’ merging elements of an aquarium, factory, and living organism. Her work imagines water as an integral part of the building’s function once again, with an aquatic ecosystem guiding a giant pipe through its architecture.

Hillerbrand+Magsamen, a Houston-based duo, present ‘Port and Starboard,’ utilizing small paper boats that interact with Seaholm’s unique structure. The artists have adapted their approach to work with the building’s features, creating a dynamic visual experience that extends beyond traditional projection.

Returning artist Mandy Mandelstein’s work, ‘Day to Day,’ explores the building’s long form and repeated insets, drawing inspiration from her experiences rowing on Lady Bird Lake. Her piece incorporates patterns of urban movement while reflecting the changing landscape around the lake.

The event also carries an environmental significance, as Lady Bird Lake is a managed ecosystem that has been monitored for harmful cyanobacteria. WaterWork, presented by the statewide campaign This Is Texas Water, evokes questions about water management in a city facing climate challenges.

WaterWork will be visible from both land and water on September 25-26, offering multiple viewing options, including boat tickets and kayak rentals. For more information, visit https://designaustin.org/program/waterwork/