Voice recordings produce an illuminated path weaving in between the Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern's pillars for “Undercurrents.”

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.

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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.