Degrading by Upgrading
                                                   Podcast 

Life by the drop, it’s what Austin is all about. From our nude hippy hideaways to our buzzing urban center, Austin gives you a taste of all aspects of life.  That was exactly why I chose the Stevie Ray Vaughan statue because SRV stands for Austin’s rich culture. From its position across Lady Bird Lake from City Hall to its very fingerprints imprinted in it brass structure, the statue emulates a story of how Austin came to be.

If you have been lucky enough to experience a warm spring day relaxing under a Texas oak on Lady Bird Lake, you would know why so many Austin natives flock to this getaway. The pungent but comforting smell of the warm humid air mixed with the slightest hint of duck weed. Fluctuations of Texas wildflower pollen and the distinctive cry of the Texas raven, screaming as to somehow release the heat from its black foliage, seem to tantalize the ear drums and nostrils with a gentle tickle. The enticing smell of mesquite fired barbeque smoldering and sweating in a gigantic propane tank, chopped and welded to an old F-150 bed frame/ trailer combo. The result leaves individuals with a sensory tease that only can be described as a mental road of elation. It’s Austin culture at its finest.

In the early days, Austin symbolized a getaway from the status quo. Just like SRV revolutionized rock and roll and the blues, Austin radically opposed conventional ideologies.  Austin paved the way for a new age in Texas like SRV did on his fender Stratocaster. Epitomized in the very handprints still visible on the brass outside of the statue, Austin’s creation was a long and physical battle.  However, as we look at the whole picture, the struggle created something original and magnificent.

One of SRV's most remarkable revolutions was his unique style he brought to blues music. His astounding ability to collaborate and share creative ideas with other musicians, such as B.B King, is very parallel to Austin’s representative, progressive, and largely liberal population. SRV’s innovation represents Austin’s inclusive attitude toward the strange and the mysterious.  Not only does that preach equality, but it also demonstrates Austin’s appreciation of originality and how it has fueled our nation's image as one of the weirdest cities in America. Found in the creation of the "Keep Austin Weird" campaign, many Austinites relish in many forms of artistic expression and experimentation. Even to the point of fanatic obsession, such artists, especially SRV, are highly prized by local citizens.

At first glance upon arriving at the statue, I was suddenly struck by the glare of copper patina emulating from the monument’s weather-beaten exterior. The blinding beam of light was debilitating, but for that split second, I felt like many other people in history had been in my position. As I listened to the birds chirping in the background, I pondered about all the people who SRV influenced in his short carrier. Being the urban explorer that I am, I turned to the city for the answers.

After a few minutes of interloping, I was lucky enough to find an outside perspective. A guy from Alabama named Scott Ireland, gladly gave me his take.

         ( Scott Ireland interview)
 

It was cool to see such a passionate side on a guy who wasn’t even from Texas. It just shows how special this statue really is. SRV was from Austin and the city made him into the person he was. SRV represented our city. Just like the next person I asked.

                                                                    

As I sat atop the coarse but comforting stone wall that surrounded the frozen figure of the blues god himself, I couldn’t help but realize that just like the slow and devastating demise corrosion will eventually ensue upon the statue, the culture that Austin has fostered for the last 200 or so years is slowly dwindling away.  Even in my brief existence on the earth, the influx of modern society has dealt a mighty and ironic blow to Austin. Through upgrades such as the recently finished W hotel and the Austonian, Austin's culture is suffering from equal degradation. The age of seemingly progressive new developments have maliciously brought universality to a city where it was once frowned upon.  The worst part about is it is only the beginning of Austin’s transformation into a typical American city. But there is a glimmer of hope and it is found in the very glint of SRV's frozen smile. Just like how SRV formulated Austin’s culture, SRV now stands for the little remaining values that Austin used to pride itself upon.  As sad as it may be, Austin will continue to grow and modernize.  As time goes by, the statue will continue to stand across the lake from city hall.  Slowly losing its battle to the elements, the statue will be a lasting symbol of Austin’s rich culture for the future to come. Stricken by the conformity of bland high rises and condos that seem to endlessly spring up around town, the statue will soon stand alone as the last bridge to the city’s vibrant past.