Saturday, May 28, 2011

Cathedral of Junk


In an effort to comply with the “Keep Austin Weird” motto, we visited the Cathedral of Junk there – appropriately enough, on Easter Sunday. It rises, almost imperceptively from the street, from Vince Hanneman’s quiet backyard in a suburban neighborhood. Plants are creatively integrated.


Vince has been collecting stuff since the 1980s and has faced city ordinance violations and irate neighbors, but has managed to expand and maintain this crazy 80-ton structure, including it’s stained glass windows,


collections,
color themes,

inexplicable juxtapositions,

child-friendly climbability (hellooooo up there!)

and wabi-sabi strangeness.

The cathedral is open during daylight hours most days.

Come worship at the holy throne.


And leave your mark on the holy surfboard.

Apologies to my blogging friends that I haven't visited in weeks...my biggest work deadline of the year is looming! See you in June, if not before.
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8 comments:

  1. Malay-Kadazan girlMay 29, 2011 at 7:28 AM

    Its amazing to see how well the plants blend into everything.

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  2. JoanneMay 29, 2011 at 10:31 AM

    Well, at least he tries to keep an aesthetic look to it all, or make something artful out of the junk.

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  3. jocelyn janeMay 30, 2011 at 7:33 AM

    Wow - this is very cool - reminds me of La Plaza Cultural at 9th Street NYC (a wacky garden/display o junk/art near one of my fave coffee places, 9th Street Espresso...)

    I have always wanted to visit Austin - have several friends there,,,maybe I'll make it someday! Thanks for sharing in the meantime :)

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  4. Robbie PalmMay 31, 2011 at 9:21 AM

    actually like it--roberta

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  5. Pam J.June 2, 2011 at 10:02 PM

    I don't just like it, I love it! And if I have another life after this one I want to live it as the person who curates/builds this Cathedral.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Ashley TurnerJune 3, 2011 at 4:42 AM

    That is so cool! Love it! Reminds me of Salvation Mountain!

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  7. TALONJune 3, 2011 at 11:21 PM

    Oh my! I love how nature is wrapping her arms around and holding the "treasures" close.
    What a cool place! Awesome shots, JGH!

    ReplyDelete
  8. sewa mobilJune 6, 2011 at 9:17 AM

    Nice posting, thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete

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