Satellite Art Show
SXSW 2019
What happens when you fuse 25 art installations, performance art, live music, flash tattoos, VR, and a burlesque bar in East Austin? You get the inaugural Satellite Art Show Austin. After years of success as the indie alternative to Art Basel in Miami, the Satellite team turned its attention to Austin. While SXSW has long established Austin as the cultural epicenter for music, tech, and film, art has been noticeably missing. This gap created the perfect opportunity for Satellite to swoop in and deliver a one-of-a-kind spectacle, drawing thousands throughout the week.
My Role
I served as music curator and performance wrangler, helping make Satellite Art Show’s maiden voyage to SXSW one of the must-see events of the festival. As the only Austin resident (at the time) I helped scout locations, managed performance conflicts, and sampled taco trucks across the city until we found the perfect one (a tough job, but someone had to do it). I also served as a liason to the advertising and tech communities, convincing my connections across industries to break free from the standard SXSW panels and check out something completely new.
Scenes from the event
What began as an art show featuring music evolved into a fully immersive experience, where musicians performed within art installations and artists took the stage. As a creative director, I’m usually focused on executing a clearly defined creative vision, but this event taught me the value of embracing spontaneity — allowing the art to shape the experience in real time.
Reception
“Top 5 things to do in Austin” - AUSTIN CULTURE
“Events You Should Definitely RSVP To” - BOSS BABES
“SXSW’s draw makes it an optimal occasion to stage other, like-minded and art-centric events. The inaugural edition of Satellite Art Fair Austin, expands the artist-run organization’s reach and collaborative practices.” - SVA
“Just in time to coincide with Austin's big ol' media hullaballoo – you know the one – here's the national Satellite initiative energizing the already vibrant MOHA with 30 interactive and immersive exhibitions.” - AUSTIN CHRONICLE