Instructions: Take galvanized steel sheets that are cut into hearts, spray paint gold as the base, hand-paint designs on one side, and put a short messages on the other. Bedazzled with plastic rhinestones as the spirit moves you. Attach a wire.
Once Austin’s pandemic lockdown started in early 2020, I created and hung these hearts on branches and trunks of cedar and pecan trees in Walnut Creek Park, a short walk from home.
They hung slightly concealed so as to not be obvious from the main trail winding through Walnut Creek. You’d have to be paying attention to find one.
I hoped that a find would represent an unexpected discovery and a meaningful experience to explorers on the trails.
A year later, all the hearts were gone.
I like to imagine individuals came across medallions that spoke to them and took these home as reminders that the world, even in pandemic times, is also magical.
