Overview
"Undercurrents" is an interactive art installation at Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern that turns visitor voices into light and connects people through shared stories. Created by Mexican-Canadian artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, this voice-powered experience lets visitors record messages at kiosks around the underground cistern. Each recording creates a glowing path of LED lights between the historic columns. The cistern then responds with a related voice message from its growing collection, creating conversations between strangers across time. Houston poets Nick Flynn, Aris Kian, Martha Serpas, Jennifer Teets, and Roberto Tejada recorded special poetry that plays when certain keywords are spoken, filling the space with colorful lights and words about nature, love, and belonging. This matters because it transforms our historic infrastructure into a space for community connection and artistic expression. The cistern, once Houston's drinking water reservoir, now holds our voices and stories. This installation shows how art can bring people together and make our shared spaces more meaningful. You can experience "Undercurrents" through January 24, 2027. Tours run Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets cost $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, military members, and students. Visit Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern to add your voice to Houston's growing collection of stories.
Why it matters
Who gets included matters. Who gets heard matters. Who benefits from the decisions made in your city matters. Inclusion isn't just a value — it's a measure of how well a community is actually working. When more people are in the room, better decisions get made. For everyone.
“Record your voice and watch it become light in this magical art installation connecting Houston voices in the historic Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern.”
Who this is for
You've felt left out or overlooked
Find organizations and resources that center people who are often pushed to the margins.
You're an advocate or ally
Deepen your understanding of systemic barriers and the work being done to dismantle them.
You want your community to be more inclusive
Connect with civic efforts that expand who gets to participate and who benefits.
What the data shows
Go deeper
The latest installation at the Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern connects current visitors to both past visitors and Houston poets through voice recordings, LED lights and a 17-second echo.
It's called “Undercurrents” by Mexican-Canadian electronic artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer. His interactive pieces are known for interpreting analog visitor input as digital visual output. Dozens of his works have been featured around the world, from Germany to New York.
This particular installation in Houston has kiosks lining the perimeter of the cistern where visitors can record a voice message. Each recording produces an illuminated path weaving in between the cistern's pillars.
The installation then identifies a related message from within its existing collection of recordings, relaying that message back to the sender as if the cistern itself is responding. As more people record voice messages, that collection grows, creating a unique experience with each new visitor.
Before opening to the public, the installation was pre-loaded with responses recorded at some of Lozano-Hemmer's previous exhibits, but the most striking responses come from poets based in Houston. Five local poets are featured in the collection: Nick Flynn, Aris Kian, Martha Serpas, Jennifer Teets and Roberto Tejada. Certain message keywords trigger poetry readings recorded by the poets themselves, filling the cistern with colorful light displays and soothing words spanning topics like nature, love and belonging.
“Undercurrents” will remain at the Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern through Jan. 24, 2027. Tours take place Wednesdays through Sundays from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is $15, or $12 for seniors, military members and students.