Cholas Water Operations Installation

Cholas Water Operations Installation
Completion May 2016
San Diego, CA

This sculpture was designed with Chollas Water Operations in mind, as part of the city of San Diego’s call for public art. The dynamic formation of colored glass and blown metal represents the perpetual flow of water the facility provides. The element of water resonates with humanity in a very intimate way; it is vitally necessary to every conceivable form of life as we know it, yet humans often use it thoughtlessly, forgetting the many environmental concerns brought about by its misuse. In many religions, water is used in cleansing rituals because it is associated with purity and tranquility, and water-related imagery is frequently invoked as part of meditation techniques. Even while developing this concept, studying large bodies of water frequently induced a deep, restorative personal calm that inspired both creative consciousness and an overall sense of well-being. All water has currents and movements, and the sculpture connects these to the peaceful physical and cultural vitality that water provides.

The piece subverts the hierarchical perception of what is commonly considered traditional art, challenging the viewer’s understanding with its impressionistic subject and minimal, functional stylization. Using only the basic, minimal components (colored glass mounted on stainless steel supports) illustrates how simple components come together to evoke broader imagery from a cultural memory that in turn elicits an emotional response. The glass is entirely abstract shapes of varying sizes and hues, and no two pieces are identical. It is only the interaction between their layers that creates the illusion of splashes and waves. Even the functional steel skeleton is curved to imitate liquid movement, but no individual part functionally illustrates water without the others. This highlights the mission of Chollas Water Operations to collectively serve their city by bringing water to areas that would not support life without the help from others.