OrtaWater

Originally co-commissioned and exhibited by Fondazione Bevilacqua La Masa for the 2005 Venice Biennale, and Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen Rotterdam 2006 the body of work 'Orta Water' focuses on the general scarcity of water and issues surrounding the privatization and corporate control effecting access to clean water. Starting from a rigorous analysis of this crucial resource through visual and text research, Lucy + Jorge Orta develop poetic artefacts, sculptures, large-scale installations and public artworks that evoke the water cycle. Of particular significance is research undertaken into low-cost water purification devices enabling filthy water to be pumped and filtered directly from natural water sources such as the Canal Grande Venice and Emmersingel Rotterdam, and made drinkable and available for the public to taste. Fully functioning filtration systems are incorporated into the 'Pumpstation Unit' and the entire installation has been linked by a continues system of pipes, for vistors to drink at the numerous taped artworks along their journey.