LEARNINGS FROM MODULE ON WATER IN ART, ARCHITECTURE AND ENGINEERING AT NUS
WATER IN DAILY LIFE
FORMS AND FUNCTIONS OF WATER AROUND ME ALL DAY
UTENSILS
DRAINS
MIRAGE
FLUSHING
AIR CON
CLOTHES
COOKING
HUMIDITY
WASHING BATHING
RAINS
GROUND WATER RECHARGE
ICE
BRUSHING
DRINKIN G RECREATION
TRANSPIRATION
SWEAT
FLOODING
MOSQUITO PLANET
CLEANING
Water is within me and all around me. Water is available to us in different forms and serves many different functions.
MILK COFFEE JUICE
TEARS
DAILY OBSERVATION
GARDENING
Photo taken by author at school of design and environment, NUS
CLOUDS
WATER RECYCLING
SINGAPORE
JOY OF RAIN : A RETREAT TO NATURE
Photograph: Author
Photograph: Author
NEW DELHI
Photograph: Author
FEAR OF RAIN : WATER CLOAGING
EVERYDAY I BATH USING SHOWER : LIMITLESS USE OF WATER
MANAGED WATER SYSTEM CASCADES IN THESE WATER CHANNELS SEEM BEAUTIFUL
EVERYDY I USED TO BATH USING BUCKET AND MUG : LIMITED USE OF WATER BECAUSE OF SUPPLY SHORTAGE
TRAFFIC JAMS DURING RAINS, CLOAGING OF WATER ON ROADS DUE TO IMPROPER DRAINAGE INFRASTUCTURE
NEW DELHI : INEQUITY IN WATER SUPPLY
Photograph: Author
SINGAPORE
NATURE AND WATER
MY DAILY WATER CONSUMPTION: SG Shower 40%
0%
45%
15%
WATER FIGHTS DURING PEAK SUMMER : SUPPLY CUT OFFS TO THE LOWER INCOME GROUP, THIS WOULD BE AN EVERY MORNING VIEW , FEW KMS FROM MY HOUSE
MY DAILY WATER CONSUMPTION : ND 27%
25%
Flush Watering Plants Washing Car
Shower Flush
10% 28%
10%
Watering Plants Washing Car
WATER EVERYEHERE
Photographs: Author +Pinterest
WATER IN DIFFERENT FORMS Water around us can be in different forms according to the different climatic zones all over the world, namely in the form of clouds, rains, humidity, dew, glacier /ice, hails.
Photographs: Author +Pinterest
WATER SERVING DIFFERENT FUCTIONS Water throughout history has been an essential part of the civilisation and thus used for various purposes. It my be a carrier, habitat, source of recreation or power and food production
Photographs: Author +Pinterest
WATER IN CITIES Water and architecture are very important part of the city. Water affects the city in many ways. Creation of Floating markets, addressing issues of floods, other catastrophic disasters are some of the examples
WATER IN MYTHOLOGY AND RELIGION
Water
means much more than the physical substance to feed us. Water in many historic cities and many religions has always brought rich transformations , as a bridge and transition from humans to god or connection from our being here in a physical world to something which is the spiritual form .
RISHIKESH
Hinduism
and water have always shared a deeper relationship. In the Hindu tradition, reverence is shown to almost every river of the Indian subcontinent. Water is believed to have spiritually cleansing powers It also has a very strong symbolic character, Its spiritual and healing properties can be seen in rites and rituals all over the country ; and its representations are as numerous as they are diverse.
VARANASI
Photo: https://www.pinterest.com
Etymology of the word Hindu also denotes water , Hind is the Persian name for the Indus River.
KOLKATTA
Image: Author
MUMBAI
Photo: https://www.pinterest.com
Every empire is thought to be born from Mother ganga’s river banks .
The different religious and cultural aspects of water reflect the vast array of civilizations that have made water the central element in their practices. Holy places like temples were developed by kings usually on the banks of these sacred rivers, coasts, seashores and mountains.
Photo: https://www.pinterest.com
Ganga, according to Hinduism, is a lock of hair of lord Shiva – supreme god – sent to earth to wash all sins of human away. This river is meant to be origin of the culture and civilization of India
Intangible and tangible cultural heritage encompasses culture and is interpreted in it’s mythic and enacted dimensions
Beliefs and Rituals
Legend has it that the Ganges is the river that flows beyond its earthly bounds to Moksha, the realm of Nirvana.
The ritual of bathing at festivals , in the course of pilgrimage and life cycle events has continued through the centuries and carries great significance. River Ganges is believed to purify and sanctify, washing away. The great cremation ground on the banks of the Ganga, where lord Shiva whispers the tarak mantra into the ears of the dying is believed to bring them to moksha.
Durga Puja commemorates the annual visit of the Goddess with her children to her parents' home, leaving finally on the Dashami to be reunited with Shiva. This leaving ceremony is symbolised by the immersion of the sculptures into the sea.
The flip side
Impact of the enactments of myths from ancestral memories can sometimes create negative conditions. Ashes of corpse cremated along the banks of the river according to religious rights are Merced in the Ganges along with ritual idioms. (300 tones of half burnt bodies and an equivalent amount of ash is thrown into the river every year).
Idols out of non dissovable elements at large scale according to religious rights are Merced in the Ganges.
WATER IN ART SELECTED WORKS OF OLAFUR ELIASSON
Background & Philosophy
An influential and widely acclaimed contemporary artist. His work comprises mostly of installations, sculptures and photography .
Creates impressive environments using elements of perceptual, ecological, temporal themes that viewer’s can’t help but interact with. Aims is to creating circumstances that shifts viewer's consciousness and sense of place. Thorough representation of human emotion, focussing on the human ability to look back and on a situation and see things differently. Questioning the idea of who has the responsibility for what one sees. There is a socialising dimension in moving the border of whose the author and whose the receiver, who decides the reality. His art raises questions of “ Do you feel a part of the space?” “How do you use your senses?” “Do your actions have consequences”. Ellison believes none of his work becomes “ work of art” until you experience it. “Art is not just about decorating the world , and making it look even better or worse, art for him, is a crucial means turning thinking into doing the works. 1998-
1967
1982
19891995
BORN IN COPENHAGEN
AT THE AGE OF 15- FIRST SOLO SHOW OF PEN DRAWINGS
STUDIED AT THE ROYAL DANISH ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS IN COPENHAGEN
1995
SETUP STUDIO IN BERLIN, A LABORATORY FOR SPATIAL RESEARCH
2001
GREEN RIVER IN 4 CITIES – LOS ANGELES, STOC KHOLM, TOKYO , NORWAY +
2003 2010
NON MOTION WATER PENDULUM EXHIBITION + WEATHER PROJECT – TATE
2011
2014
RAINBOW PANAROMA
BIG BANG FOUNTAIN + ICE WATCH + LOUSIANA MUSUEM OF
Project 1: The Green river
Elements: Immersing environmentally sustainable green dye into the river n four different cities – Los Angeles, Stockholm, Tokyo and New york
Concept : Green dye looks really frightening , on the other side also quite beautiful as it somehow shows the turbulence in these kind of downtown areas of these different places in the world . The Green river as a kind of activist not a art of the exhibition, the idea was really about showing people in the city as they walk by. The space has dimensions, the space has time, the water flows through the city with time . The water has kind of ability to make the city negotiable, tangible . City not being a picture. Art can evaluate the relationship between what does it mean to be in a picture and what does it mean to be in a space and what's the difference between thinking and doing .
Project York Waterfalls
2:New City
Elements: Installation of water fall in four zones within new york – Brooklyn bridge , governors island pier 4 and 5, pier 35
Concept : Fundamental concept of time it takes for water to fall. Speed of falling water is constant everywhere .The water is falling like really slow , it is seems to be really far away and it’s a giant water fall . The water is falling faster, it’s a smaller waterfall, which means the water fall is a way of measuring space. Being an iconic city like new york, who has had an interest in kind of playing around with the sense of place. It wants to seem as big as possible . Adding a measurement to that is interesting in the sense that falling water gives the city a sense of dimension. Idea was to introduce nature into city, more importantly shift viewer’s consciousness.
Project 3: Riverbed in Louisiana museum, Denmark
Elements: Landscape of monochromatic stones forming the river bed within the walled museum.
Concept : Stress-test of Louisiana's physical capacity. part of an exhibition titled Riverbed, is a staged imitation of a natural landscape within the walls of one of Denmark's important Modernist buildings. It is an interesting thing one enters the exhibition at the end of the water flow, so one moves upstream, brings up the feeling that there might have been more water in the rest of the room , rest of the landscape might have sometime be under water, or perhaps be soon underwater. What is left now is only the marks on the stones.
Project 4 : Experiments with water
Elements: Model for timeless garden, Big bang fountain, water pendulum, water movements.
Concept : most compelling, bit of wizardry is a fountain sputtering in darkness. The image of the bright dancing water leaves a ghostly impression in the mind’s eye. Keep watching the flashes of silver water and you see blue impossible forms in the afterglow. This dazzling assault on perception left me stunned and delighted. Many dreamy scenarios unfold through his experiments with water. Space is pitch black except for burning orange slice projected along the wall. A light flashes for tenth of a second to reveal the fountain, it’s spark frozen like a still life for that illuminated instant.
Project 5: Tate modern , London
Elements: Half semicircle of a yellow disc , mirror in the ceiling , some fog , some haze
Concept : To make the space tangible. Currently the place has a discrepancy between what your body can embrace, and what that space in the real sense is. A hope that by bringing in natural elements like fog, space could be made tangible People started seeing themselves in the space.
How do we configure the relationship between our body and the space. How do we re configure it ? How do we know that being in a space makes a difference. Concept of Why rather than how ? Why meant that what consequences does it have when we take a step . Does it matter if I am in the world or not.
Olafur Eliasson,
Conclusion
Danish-Icelandic artist’s work was very inspiring. His seemingly celestial command of elemental materials like light, water, and air interestingly enhance the viewer’s experience. He represents his art mostly through installations, sculptures and photography as for him none of his work becomes “work of art” until you experience it. His studio in berlin is his gateway to experimenting with space.
It is interesting to note that in all his artwork, he strives to make the concerns of art relevant to society at large through architectural projects and interventions in civic spaces. These artworks direct the viewers to raise questions of ‘Do they feel a part of the space?’, ’Do their actions have consequences’, challenging their ability to look back on a situation and see things differently. Finally, as a comparison between all the artists presented in class, I felt that Olafur and Julius Popp shared a similar concept of ‘socially driven ideologies’ for their artwork. But somehow looking at the scale, dimensions and impacts of both artist’s works with water, to me Olafur Eliasson’s works seemed more influential and inspiring.
I hope that I will be able to projects on similar lines in my country. Thanks to this insightful module and dedicated efforts of Prof. Herbert Dreiseitl, that opened up my view and enhanced my knowledge about so many inspiring artists all around the world.
WATER IN ARCHITECTURE KATHRYN GUSTAFSON GUSTAFSON PORTER
Background & Philosophy
An influential and widely acclaimed contemporary landscape Architect. Kathryn’s work is predominantly civic, institutional, and corporate, including parks, gardens and community spaces.
Her career began as a Fashion Designer, but owing to her inherent interest in natural landforms, she decided to take up landscape design and has remarkably excelled with her explicit design skills. Her diverse span of works are sculptural forms that create sensorial and temporal qualities, using elements such as earth, grass, stone and water. After her First office in Paris, Kathryn diversified her work across the world through two firms on either side of atlantics. One being Gustafson Porter and other being Gustafson Guthrie Nicol, which are both at the forefront of landscape design practice Her designs are responsive, sensitive and appropriate as they draw inspiration from the uniqueness of place. Awarded Jublee award 2 recently at European biennial of landscape architecture for Seattle/London Concept and Design along with Prof. Herbert Dreiseitl for Portland/Shanghai/Singapore Green-Blue Infrastructure
1951
BORN IN YAKIMA, WASHIN GTON BEGAN AS A FASHION
1980
1997
1999
FOUNDED HER FIRST OFFICE IN PARIS
FOUNDED GUSTAFSON PORTER IN LONDON
FOUNDED GUSTAFSON GUTHRIE NICHOL IN SEATTLE
first water infrastructure 300 acre reservoir for storm water management
2004
COMPLETED DIANA MEMORIAL FOUNTAIN, CULTUUR PARK WESTERGASFABRIEK
2004 2010
2011
ONGOING
OLD MARKET SQAURE +SWISS COTTAGE OPEN SPACE
VALENCIA PARQUE CENTRAL + HARBOUR SQUARE +
MILESTONE PROJECTS - BAY EAST PARK, GARDENS BY THE BAY +
Project 1: DIANA MEMORIAL FOUNTAIN
Location: Hyde Park, London Team: Kathryn Gustafson, Neil porter, ARUP Engineers Completed: 2004
Elements: Oval Granite stream bed with series of complex textures, patterns and features.
Concept : This fountain is no ordinary water feature. The Design expresses the concept of ‘Reaching OutLetting In’ which is based on the qualities of the Princess of Wales that were most loved, her inclusiveness and her accessibility. The presence of the fountain surrounded by open landscape has an energy which radiates outwards while at the same time draws people towards it. The water traveling from both east and west ends its journey in a reflective basin at the lowest point of the water feature. The visible surface of the water at this point is enlivened by special texturing at the bottom of the pool. The water which has joined together from both sides of the fountain leaves the ring at this point. Approximately 100 litres per second of water is
“REACHING OUT LETTING IN”
CHADAR CASCADE - A ‘Chaddar’ is a water feature created by the flow of water over elaborately carved stone found in traditional Mughal gardens. STEPPED CASCADE - Steps which have been richly textured with a surface evocative of natural patterns or pleated fabric SERIES OF STEPPED CASCADE
The water then passes under a level crossing point where the stone channel begins to flatten out.
SWOOSH
- Water enters a subtle curve where five water jets create patterns of water and additional energy is pumped into the fountain which the designers have named the ‘swoosh’.
Complex textures, patterns and features on the surface of the shallow granite stream bed is from 3 to 6 m (10 to 20 ft) wide that would make the water tumble, cascade, curl and bubble as it ran its course.
ROCK AND ROLL - Water enters in this area where the granite has been sculpted so that the water gently rocks and rolls as it travels along a subtle curve.
Project 2: CULTUUR PARK WESTERGASFABRIEK
Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands Team: Francine Houben, Mecanoo, Arup, Tauw
Elements: Soil restoration, Biological phytoremediation to remove and reverse the harmful effects of pollution, two former gas holders filled with aquatic plants and a deep fish pond. Other social activities include large events field trails and gardens, playground, waterfall, bridge and the artificial lake
Concept: A model of brownfield reclamation, created on the regenerated site of a nineteenth century gasworks, Westergasfabriek cultuur is a 32 acre cutting edge public parkland that brings together the urban and the natural realm. The landscape design for the Westergasfabriek park illustrates in a contemporary form - man’s changing views and attitude towards the environment and its resulting landscape types. It also highlights the project’s placement between city and nature. The Idea is to restore and enhance the natural environment, promote positive environmental and
Westergasfabriek cultuur park is one of the pioneer projects leading the concept of Regenerative Design approach that not only restores natural environment and ecologies but also builds the social capital in terms of restoring community ties and integrating social spaces and activities.
Project 3: BAY EAST, GARDENS BY THE BAY Location: Marina East, Singapore Team: Hamilton Architects, ARUP Completed: Ongoing
Elements: Aquatic sports, waterfront recreation such as canoeing, sculling and dragon boat races, food gardens visitor centre, dining venues and spaces for outdoor entertainment.
Concept: Bay East Garden is 32 hectares in size and it has a 2-kilometre promenade frontage of Marina Reservoir. It is designed as a series of large tropical leaf-shaped gardens, each with its own specific landscaping design, character and theme. There are five water inlets oriented along the prevailing wind direction, maximizing and extending the shoreline while allowing wind and water to penetrate the site. Aquatic Gardens form part of these inlets that offer reed bed water filtration as part of the Sustainable Urban Drainage initiative. the design also takes into consideration strategic flood prevention and water control procedures, as well as water quality issues, to create a sustainable green space fitting
REFERENCES INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND http://www.africanwater.org/religion.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_and_religion https://issuu.com/amitasinha/docs/ghats_of_varanasi_report_small http://iskconeducationalservices.org/HoH/practice/504.htm http://hinduwebsite.com/puja.asp http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=700
FLIP SIDE https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pollution_of_the_Ganges http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-30808745 http://www.smh.com.au/national/the-ganges-holy-river-from-hell-20140806100xz9.html
VIDEO: OLAFUR ELIASSON https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYBHo01CoZQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLUX3AI2Uic
REFERENCES
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND http://www.olafureliasson.net/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olafur_Eliasson http://olafureliasson.net/biography
THE GREEN RIVER http://olafureliasson.net/archive/artwork/WEK101541/green-river https://criticundertheinfluence.wordpress.com/2009/03/17/chorus-and-refrain/ CITY WATERFALLS, NEW YORK https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City_Waterfalls http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/27/arts/design/27wate.html
RIVERBED IN LOUISIANA MUSEUM, DENMARK http://www.archdaily.com/540338/olafur-eliasson-creates-an-indoor-riverbed-at-danish-museum http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/art/art-reviews/11055034/Riverbed-by-Olafur-Eliasson-Louisiana-Museum-ofModern-Art.html
EXPERIMENTS WITH WATER http://blog.laurablair.co.uk/2013/05/art-timeless-garden.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RTnvL4jByA
WEATHER PROJECT, TATE MODERN, LONDON http://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/exhibition/unilever-series-olafur-eliasson-weather-project/olafur-eliasson-weatherproject
REFERENCES INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND http://www.gustafson-porter.com/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathryn_Gustafson http://landscapearchitecturemagazine.org/2012/10/11/in-barcelona-a-landscape-biennial/
DIANA MEMORIAL FOUNTAIN http://www.landezine.com/index.php/2014/11/diana-princess-of-wales-memorial-fountain-by-gustafsonporter-landscape-architecture/ http://www.gustafson-porter.com/diana-princess-of-wales-memorial-fountain/
CULTUUR PARK WESTERGASFABRIEK http://www.landezine.com/index.php/2015/01/westergasfabriek-park-by-gustafson-porter/ http://www.gustafson-porter.com/westergasfabriek/
BAY EAST, GARDENS BY THE BAY https://urbanchoreography.net/2011/02/28/bay-east-gardens-singapore-gustafson-porter-win-award/ http://www.gustafson-porter.com/bay-east-gardens-by-the-bay/
VIDEO: GUSTAFSON PORTER https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LacGKl6S0iU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eo2KkTzqcTg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6awkx9LOi3U