Austin Arts Insider Features New Vanishing Austin Poster

Above, the new Vanishing Austin poster by Jann Alexander (c) 2009

Austin Arts Insider Rob Faubion features the new Endangered Species of Austin poster in today's column on tripvine.com. I'm grateful for the publicity, since sales of the poster help support my on-going effort to photograph Austin before it vanishes (so to speak) for my Vanishing Austin series--there are 68 images to date, published in slide show form on my website, VanishingAustin.com

Endangered Species of Austin unveiled | KXAN.com

Vanishing Austin/Capitol Boots by Jann Alexander (c) 2009

KXAN's Josh Hinkle focuses on Capitol Saddlery's oversize boot to showcase my new poster debut, Endangered Species of Austin (from my Vanishing Austin series) in his on-air piece and online story that aired in conjunction with the poster-signing reception hosted by Austin Fastframe:

Endangered Species of Austin unveiled | KXAN.com

Above, Endangered Species of Austin poster by Jann Alexander (c) 2009

The vivid color poster, printed on quality paper and sized 24 x 36" to fit a ready-made frame, features 16 beloved Austin icons and is available for purchase online at http://VanishingAustin.com/ and around Austin at many local retailers, including AMOA Museum Store, Authenticity Gallery, Austin Visitor's Center, Austin Fastframe North and South locations; also at the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar and the Keep Austin Bizarre Bazaar.

A Bitter End for the Warehouse District?

A crane overhanging the vanished Bitter End last year portends its doom--

and maybe that of the entire Warehouse District.

Pictured: "Vanishing Austin / Until the Bitter End"

(c) Jann Alexander 2009

Can This District Be Saved? asks Katherine Gregor in the current Austin Chronicle cover story about Austin's Warehouse District. A provocative question indeed. Can Austin find the guts to maintain some of the historic fabric that makes it so attractive or will the City Council let the developers have their way with us?

The Heritage Society of Austin is working to preserve the District's historic character. It has an online petition drive (in its quest for 1000 signatures) at Save the Warehouse District to ask that City Council adopt special protections for the area at the September 24th Council meeting.

Vanishing Austin

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Going, Going, Gone? But Not Forgotten.

Endangered Species of Austin poster by Jann Alexander (c) 2008

Some still stand, some are gone, and with luck, some may never go. 

The Endangered Species of Austin poster, a 24 x 36" signed custom print, reflects what we love to love about Austin. It's available for holiday delivery by special order--for more information, email AustinDetails@mac.com.

Stop by my booth at the Holiday Art Festival at AMoA-Laguna Gloria on Saturday & Sunday, December 6-7 from 10 am-5 pm to see the Endangered Species of Austin poster and the entire Vanishing Austin series of photographs, nearing 50 to date.

Commentary on Cranes and Their Creations

The building cranes loom everywhere in Austin, giving us an unusual skyline these days. It's hard to avoid casting them as characters in my Vanishing Austin photographs. When the snake that graces the east side of Ranch 616 actually seemed to have a reaction to the cranes, that was an image that seemed to embody my concept for my photographic journey through Austin old and new. Its title: Vanishing Austin / Duelling Threats. (Though you gotta wonder who's winning.)

Sometimes it's the tall towers that seem to mock the scale of the architectural ambiance that thrives so far beneath them. Still, I'm rootin' for the little guy--like the Tiniest Bar in Texas. Whose owners say they're makin' a stand, right there amidst all the high-rise action on West 5th Street, in the shadow of the Monarch. Below, Vanishing Austin / Tiny Bar, Tall Tower.

In the Warehouse District, cranes reflect back in the existing high-rises (which are themselves being overtaken by the newer skyscrapers) and provide an artsy backdrop to an older block that still stands. Here's to a fight until the Bitter End (below, Vanishing Austin / Until the Bitter End).