Austin, TX
‘Surreal’ neon light show enchants Zilker Botanical Garden this month
AUSTIN (KXAN) — For 2 weekends this spring, the Zilker Botanical Backyard will rework into an immersive, neon artwork exhibit for guests to discover.
Designed by Sharon Keshishian and the Ion Artwork crew, The Surreal Backyard is a “botanical-themed neon surrealism” artwork show that can embrace interactive sculptures guests can have interaction with, together with meals, craft cocktails, dwell music and dancing.
The Surreal Backyard will open to the general public with a VIP occasion Thursday night. Basic admission for the exhibit runs Friday and Saturday this week, with a last weekend on show April 28-30.
That is the primary Surreal sequence Ion Artwork has placed on for the reason that begin of the pandemic and its first time collaborating with the Zilker Botanical Backyard Conservancy, Keshishian mentioned. She added she’s excited to assist put a highlight on each the fantastic thing about neon artwork and the botanical backyard — a spot she dubbed the “jewel” of downtown.
“We have now excessive hopes to assist the backyard and assist arts,” she mentioned. “We really feel like that is the right partnership — I imply, it assist arts in Austin, and it’s supporting this little jewel of a backyard that’s right here in downtown Austin that so many individuals don’t find out about proper now.”
-
Designed by Sharon Keshishian and the Ion Artwork crew, The Surreal Backyard is a “botanical-themed neon surrealism” artwork show that can embrace interactive sculptures guests can have interaction with. (KXAN Photograph/Kelsey Thompson) -
Designed by Sharon Keshishian and the Ion Artwork crew, The Surreal Backyard is a “botanical-themed neon surrealism” artwork show that can embrace interactive sculptures guests can have interaction with. (KXAN Photograph/Kelsey Thompson) -
Designed by Sharon Keshishian and the Ion Artwork crew, The Surreal Backyard is a “botanical-themed neon surrealism” artwork show that can embrace interactive sculptures guests can have interaction with. (KXAN Photograph/Kelsey Thompson) -
Designed by Sharon Keshishian and the Ion Artwork crew, The Surreal Backyard is a “botanical-themed neon surrealism” artwork show that can embrace interactive sculptures guests can have interaction with. (KXAN Photograph/Kelsey Thompson) -
Designed by Sharon Keshishian and the Ion Artwork crew, The Surreal Backyard is a “botanical-themed neon surrealism” artwork show that can embrace interactive sculptures guests can have interaction with. (KXAN Photograph/Kelsey Thompson) -
Designed by Sharon Keshishian and the Ion Artwork crew, The Surreal Backyard is a “botanical-themed neon surrealism” artwork show that can embrace interactive sculptures guests can have interaction with. (KXAN Photograph/Kelsey Thompson) -
Designed by Sharon Keshishian and the Ion Artwork crew, The Surreal Backyard is a “botanical-themed neon surrealism” artwork show that can embrace interactive sculptures guests can have interaction with. (KXAN Photograph/Kelsey Thompson) -
Designed by Sharon Keshishian and the Ion Artwork crew, The Surreal Backyard is a “botanical-themed neon surrealism” artwork show that can embrace interactive sculptures guests can have interaction with. (KXAN Photograph/Kelsey Thompson) -
Designed by Sharon Keshishian and the Ion Artwork crew, The Surreal Backyard is a “botanical-themed neon surrealism” artwork show that can embrace interactive sculptures guests can have interaction with. (KXAN Photograph/Kelsey Thompson) -
Designed by Sharon Keshishian and the Ion Artwork crew, The Surreal Backyard is a “botanical-themed neon surrealism” artwork show that can embrace interactive sculptures guests can have interaction with. (KXAN Photograph/Kelsey Thompson) -
Designed by Sharon Keshishian and the Ion Artwork crew, The Surreal Backyard is a “botanical-themed neon surrealism” artwork show that can embrace interactive sculptures guests can have interaction with. (KXAN Photograph/Kelsey Thompson) -
Designed by Sharon Keshishian and the Ion Artwork crew, The Surreal Backyard is a “botanical-themed neon surrealism” artwork show that can embrace interactive sculptures guests can have interaction with. (KXAN Photograph/Kelsey Thompson) -
Designed by Sharon Keshishian and the Ion Artwork crew, The Surreal Backyard is a “botanical-themed neon surrealism” artwork show that can embrace interactive sculptures guests can have interaction with. (KXAN Photograph/Kelsey Thompson)
A portion of proceeds raised will go go the ZBGC. The nonprofit launched in 2015 and works in tandem with the Austin Parks and Recreation Division to assist the botanical backyard’s existence and maintenance within the metropolis.
Funding from this occasion will go towards the backyard’s operations and income for future occasions and programming, mentioned Monica Sivilli, public relations coordinator for ZBGC.
Pre-sale tickets start at $40, whereas tickets purchased on the door price $50 with charges.
Native foods and drinks trailers on website will embrace Crepe Loopy, Downtown Burgers, Garbo’s Lobster, Maudie’s Tex-Mex, TacoMan 512, Sugar Mama’s Bakeshop, Zucchini Kill Bakery and Black Sheep Lodge. Stay leisure in the course of the two-weekend occasion options music from DJs Byrne Rock and Manny Mo, together with Mixer Rogers.
Austin-based Ion Artwork launched in 1986, based by Sharon and her husband, Greg, as a neon artwork store. The Keshishians specialise in glass and metalwork, creating and promoting art work, steel signage, architectural décor and lighting design.
Sharon mentioned her hope is guests will see the fantastic thing about neon artwork as a timeless inventive kind — one whose makes use of lengthen past simply illuminating bars, eating places and different leisure areas.
“Everybody can have a bit of neon,” she mentioned. “And we hope it makes everybody glad, and it places just a little smile in your face …. particularly these days, we’d like that on this planet.”