‘Hello Lamp Post’ art project set Feb. 12

If you haven’t had a conversation with a lamp post lately, this could be your chance. The “hidden life” of Austin’s street furniture will be part of the launch of Hello Lamp Post, an international art project created by London-based Pan Studio. According to the city, the project invites people to strike up conversations with familiar objects around the city through a text message. Anyone can text the official Hello Lamp Post phone number and “wake up” lamp posts, mailboxes, hydrants or even buildings and “discover what these objects have to say.” The project was commissioned by the city’s Cultural Arts Division of the Economic Development Department in celebration of the Art in Public Places program’s 30th anniversary.  Starting Feb. 12, anyone can text the official phone number and chat with their favorite piece of street furniture. The public is invited to a free kickoff event, complete with drinks and snacks, set from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Feb. 12 at Republic Square Park, 422 Guadalupe St. For more information and a short video about the project, go to hellolamppostaustin.com.