WATER EXHIBITION

            Before stepping into the exhibition space, my mind screamed ‘water’ faster than you can say it.  As I was walking down the Zimmerli staircase, the only subject dominating the periphery of my vision was a net full of water bottles. That became the first installation to not only attract my interest, but focus it on the essence of water, as the water filled bottles lured me into being thirsty for at least the next hour.

            There was no way that feeling of thirst would go away, thanks to the brilliant  organization of the show by Donna Gustafson. Entering the next room, Hans Haacke’s “Condensation Cube” took me away as it not only depicted water in its state but also its process. Along with Maya Lin’s  “ Dew Point” and “Pin River” the show exalted innovation and diversity in the contemporary arts. These installations were well complimented with a multitude of photographs which depicted the natural wonder in a variety of contents. Whether from its polar life depiction, its mere function, or the affect it has on the environment and people, it all came down to the fact that they all made me thirsty.

            The exhibition not only gave me answers of what it is water can do, but posed questions regarding its presentation; Especially Maya Lin’s “Pin River”. Lighting was essential in this piece, as a particular cast shadow depicted the flow of a river. The artist wasn’t there to install the work, nor to give it intended lighting. However it was up to the curator to decide on the lighting. Should the curator now take some credit for such work? Unfortunately, I couldn’t figure it out since I was too busy searching for a water fountain.

            All the pieces seemed to flow well with one another, as a river would. There  were only a few boulders which disrupted its flow. The integration of  18^th and 19^th century work into a space filled with a new fresh smell of contemporary art  personally seemed a bit too disruptive. It was almost as if the curator had a little too much extra room to fill after the more exuberant pieces were installed. At least they made me feel less thirsty.

            Regardless, the show was rich and powerful in its portrayal of our precious natural wonder. From the installations to the photographs and paintings, my eyes kept widening as I walked from one space to another.  Needless to say, my thirst was quenched as I indulged myself in water at a near by water fountain as I ended my viewing of “Water”. That is a sign of a successful curatorial job.

 The Ice and Ark piece made an enormous impact on my first impression, I would use it to lure the viewer in and let such installations be expected.

Maya Lin's "Dew Point" would fit in will with installations the shown pieces, since it has a physical effect on the viewer as the others.

The Condensation Cube portrays water while in its process. It would compliment the other depictions of water, where the content is specialized around its state of being. 

 The Pin River adds more variety to the room filled with the other three pieces, as the view learns to recognize the importance of light in its presentation.