Keeping Austin Weird: The Cathedral of Junk

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The motto of Austin, Texas is ‘Keep Austin Weird.‘

Part of Austin’s inspiration is the ‘Cathedral of Junk.’ Sequestered along a quaint surburban street, a whimsical side project which began in 1988 has blossomed into a gargantuan mass of circuit boards, lawnmower parts, forks and knives, car bumpers – everything, most likely including at least one kitchen sink. It contains an estimated seven hundred bicycles.

Vince Hannemann did it because he could. He has no great purpose, and no particular artistic vision. He builds it because he likes it, although the materials often come from donations. Mr. Hannemann himself is perfectly willing to show you around, although he has a day job. He often answers questions from the comfort of his ‘Throne Room.’

City engineers see no reason to tear it down (except for the ‘Pyramid of TVs,’ which they said was more of a pile). At the behest of neighbors, they occasionally stop by to poke and prod the nearly sixty tons of welded metal and scrap. They can find no weak spots.

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