Inspired by Artesian wells in the American Midwest, Well Stories, by Kay Westhues, is a series of photographs and video that investigates relationship to drinking water; exploring the concept of ‘ownership’ of water by replacing the perception of it as a commodity with a more indigenous understanding of water as a local resource.
See more on Well Stories here
In an effort to maximize usable land area, many cities covered over rivers by entombing them in sewer pipes. In Sheffield, England the River Sheaf is contained in underground tunnels. The river emerges from time to time as it passes beneath the city before it merges with the River Don near Blonk Street Bridge.
From National Geographic
On the wall of the Diga di Luzzone dam in Tessin, Switzerland over 650 handles and hooks have been installed on a length of 165 metres, making it the highest artificial climbing wall in the world.
See more here
Cenotes are sinkholes with exposed rocky edges containing groundwater. They are typically found in Yucatán Peninsula and some near the Caribbean islands. In many cases, cenotes are areas where sections of a cave roof have collapsed revealing an underlying cave system.
Read more here
Installed along the North East coastline of Japan, tsunami stones served as warnings and information points indicating the dangers and destruction of tsunamis. Dating back hundreds of years, the stones have since been replaced by more technological warning and defence systems but remain as reminders of the effect tsunamis have had on Japan’s history.
Read more here
ARTWORK OF THE WEEK
Water in water, 1995-97
Pierre Lafon & Marion Faunieres
Water in water is a project found on the banks of the river Baise at Vianne, France. Four floaters mark out a spot on the river where a large tank is situated to allow water to rest and resist the current. Sediment sinks to the bottom of the tank and a pool of clear water is formed.
Click here to see more
The lavoir at Tonnerre is called La Fosse Dionne — ‘the Divine Pit’. The pit is the second largest spring in France. Situated at the base of a limestone plateau, the spring was used by cliff top settlements as early as the Gallo-Roman empire. All of the water exiting the lavoir enters a canal that passes through the village on its way to the river, with an annual average flow of 66 gallons per second.
Click here for more
Beneath Istanbul lie hundreds of Byzantine cisterns. The largest of them is the Basilica Cistern (also known as Yerebatan Sarnic), covering about 2.4 acres or 1000 square metres; it has the capacity to hold over 21 million gallons. Built by Justinian after 532 and later restored, the Basilica stored water for the Great Palace and nearby buildings.
Click here for more
The Freiburg Bächle are small water-filled runnels or formalized rills in the Black Forest city of Freiburg. First documented in the 13th century, the Bächle once served as a water supply and were used to help fight fires. Because they were seen by many as a traffic hazard due to their location in the middle of the road, they were moved to the edge of the roads in 1852. Supplied with water by the Dreisam River, they can be seen along most streets and alleyways in the old city, being one of Freiburg’s most famous landmarks.
Click here to read more. Images courtesy of Yan Olivares of Yes Architectes
In the American Midwest, trees have trouble surviving because of the relentless and strong winds. With a recent shift to industrial farms leaving many farms abandoned, trees have found the perfect environment to grow in old silos. After the roof caves in, the structure catches seed and protects the young saplings from the damaging winds. Sunlight and rain come through the top of the silo and the tree continues to grow until the branches and leaves spill out over the top.
Read more here
This visual blog presents images and projects related to the WATERSHED+ art program.
WATERSHED+ is a public art program hosted by City of Calgary's department of Utilities and Environment Protection which creatively renews the relationship between Calgarians and their watershed.
WATERSHED+ presents a unique approach to public art and a distinct way of working within City departments, the public, and other stakeholders. Artists and artistic practices are embedded within UEP core activities, participating as members on infrastructure design teams, contributing to project design, development of events, community education, etc.
WATERSHED+ program was devised by Sans façon (Charles Blanc & Tristan Surtees) with a team composed of Matt Baker, Emlyn Firth, Yan Olivares of Yes Architectes, Eric Laurier and Bert van Duin.
