“Water Matters,” a thought-provoking new exhibit of photographs and sculpture at the Yager Museum of Art & Culture, addresses the subject of clean water by exploring the social and political issues that result from human interference with the land. At this time of international concern over fresh water “Water Matters,” which opens at the Yager Museum on October 31st, is an exhibit that must be seen for more than artistic reasons.
Throughout the world, fresh water is becoming scarce. It is now predicted that by 2025 much of the world’s population, including that of the United States, will confront severe water shortages. In fact, UNESCO has proclaimed 2005-2015 the International Decade for Action “Water for Life.”
“Water Matters” features the work of noted photographers Steven Benson, Robert Dawson, Stanley Greenberg, David Maisel, and Christopher Morris, and sculptor Christy Rupp. Viewers are presented with powerful visual images, including: astonishing photographs of dry Owens Lake in California by David Maisel that was drained to provide drinking water for Los Angeles; the construction of the massive Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River in China by Steven Benson where many of the locations are now under water; photographs by Stanley Greenberg that document the miles of tunnels, dams and reservoirs, which provide fresh water drawn from the Catskill Watershed for thirsty New York City; the overstressed water sources in the American West by Robert Dawson; and a photojournalist’s view of the tragic flooding in New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Additionally, the sculptures of Christy Rupp deliver their cautionary messages about clean water with intelligence and wit. Unexpected and visually compelling, they succeed in communicating serious ideas about our environment in seemingly lighthearted ways.
“Water Matters” will be on view from October 31st through February 2, 2007 at the Yager Museum on the Hartwick College campus. The Yager Museum is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday, from 12:00 to 4:30. Admission is free.
