Public artwork commission : Austin Central Library

Libraries might commission public artworks that ask artists to respond to the space or context of the library with a physical artwork or installation. These are often visual arts or digital pieces, although they might also span other arts genres. In many cases they are (semi-)permanently installed and respond to the specific architecture of the library, for instance using walls, atrium space or windows, or more unexpected spaces like stairwells, ceilings or furniture.

 The Austin Central Library in Texas has a rich programme of public art commissions, which includes sculptures, murals and architectural interventions in and around the library building. Some of these are interactive and offer visitors an opportunity to engage with the library in new ways, whereas others attract attention due to their size or material. One of the sculptures, CAW by Christian Moeller, is in the shape of a 37-foot tall kinetic cuckoo clock overtaken by blackbirds, which stretches along the six-story atrium wall of the library. It was made specifically for the library and refers to Austin’s Grackle population as well as blackbirds as an often-occurring motif in literature.