AUSTIN, Texas — A massive sculpture by an internationally-acclaimed artist and activist has landed in downtown Austin, something organizers hope the Capital City's political spirit can connect with.

The silver structure in the making catches the light and the eyes of people along Lady Bird Lake. 

Austin resident Jennifer Balkan got off her bicycle to take a picture of the monumental structure going up next to Waller Creek.

"I love bicycles, I love all things related to bicycles," Balkan said. "It is pretty majestic looking, so I'm intrigued by it."

She is not alone. The installation has captivated thousands around world in like cities like New York, London, Venice and Taipei. 

Crews are on track to complete "Forever Bicycles" -- a popular sculpture by internationally-acclaimed artist Ai Weiwei. He is also an activist, who has been persecuted in his home county, China, because he was critical of the government. 

Ai Weiwei, Forever Bicycles, London Installation (Photo: Nick Turpin).

"Here in Austin where we have a very strong activist spirit, where we have the seat of our state government, I think that it'll resonate with folks here," said Nicole Chism Griffin, the director of community for The Contemporary Austin.

Once finished, the work of art, comprised of 1,300 stainless steel bikes, will form an arch nearly 32 feet tall. 

"Visitors can walk up to it, they can walk underneath it and look around," Chism Griffin said. "It will really change a viewer's perspective on the world around them."

The collaboration between The Contemporary Austin and Waller Creek Conservancy hopes to revitalize an area plagued by constant crime and construction.

"It's got a lot of potential. I've been following it a lot," said one man who got off his bicycle to look at the construction. "It's going to be like our river walk, so it's going to be really cool. I'm excited to see it.

The museum's mission is also to promote not just art in Austin, but Austin's place in art.

"People all over the world look to Austin as a hot point for tech, for entrepreneurship for music for so many things," Chism Griffin said. "Our population is booming and people are coming from all over and it really is time that our visual art scene match everything else that we're doing here in Austin."

A family-friendly, public opening will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon with refreshments.

"Forever Bicycles" was installed with the help of a $1.1 million grant by the Edward and Betty Marcus Foundation.​

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