Narratives of Water
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What is essential is invisible to the eye design without borders
further exploration of the narratives of water intervention at angewandte
narratives of water eco del agua ABOOUT US
Photocredit: Sebastian Binderberger
Photocredit: IntoWild
Photocredit: Sebastian Binderberger
Photocredit: IntoWild
Photocredit: Sebastian Binderberger
Photocredit: IntoWild
Photocredit: IntoWild
“What is essential is invisible to the eye”
“What is essential is invisible to the eye.” delves into the intricate layers of the treatment of water, as it is reduced to a mere commodity, a repository for waste, a status symbol, or a source of power. Reflecting also on the crucial aspects of place and locality, we are urged to critically question the harmful lines that often foster an Us vs. Them mentality.
Nineteen artists from over eight countries have shared their narratives, making visible what we perceive as invisible. Their works prompt us to question our present and future relationship with water and voice imperatives to rewrite our narrative, to consider water not as a product, but as a fundamental right for all.
Participating artists: Aki Lee, Anne Megier, Cirkuzanti (Radmila und Nikola Trebovac), Elisabeth Utz, Felicitas Grabner & Vera Niess, Hybrid Dessous (Marlene Hübner & Amelie Schlemmer), Into.Wild (Michelle Abert & Liam Strasser), Michael Akstaller, Narratives of Water, Paul Takunda Chiwona, Sofia Zorzi, Schwimmverein Donaukanal;
Photocredit: Hanna Fasching
Photocredit: Paul Chiwona
Photocredit: Hanna Fasching
Photocredit: Paul Chiwona
Photocredit: Paul Chiwona
“Further Exploration of the Narratives of Water”
The exhibition “What is essential is invisible for the eye,” was redeveloped for the exhibition “Platzprobleme” and presented as part of the Vienna Design Week. The contents of the original exhibition were documented on a paper banner, allowing for an overview of the presented works and the collective’s mission. Special attention was given to the work “Es fließt woanders weiter” by Elisabeth Utz, which critically examines the Austrian ski industry and its water consumption. In its gestalt, the banner references a ski slope, extending from a height of 3.5 meters to the ground. Mirror-inverted writing invites viewers to actually explore beneath the work and embrace a new perspective.
Eco del Agua
Eco del Agua (Echo of Water) was an open call intended to give water a voice that could transcend boundaries and borders.
The works created by Mexican students for the first Narratives of Water exhibition aim to encourage the public in Vienna to reflect on their individual relationship with water and their responsibility within the global context.
As part of the open call, which ran from September 2022 to January 2023, a series of online lectures were held to open a public discourse on the water crisis. Experts from different disciplines shared their perspectives and approaches to the topic of water, providing not only information but also inspiration.
Special thanks to Delfín Montañana, Herwig Turk, Ana Vicencio, Daniela Ayala and Linda Gabriel.
You can listen to the lectures here:
Photocredit: Jorit Aust
Photocredit: Paul Chiwona
Photocredit: Jorit Aust
Photocredit: Jorit Aust
Photocredit: Jorit Aust
Photocredit: Paul Chiwona
“Narratives of Water”
The narratives about the consumption and care of water are different around the world.
Although the water crisis is global and affects us all, the actions taken to face it are carried out differently – politically, collectively and individually. The first Narratives of Water exhibition attempted to examine and illuminate the various narratives surrounding our water and the way we consume it. Between frustration and acceptance, protest and leisure, ignorance and pleasure, dichotomous contrasts between Mexico and Austria were addressed.
The project Narratives of Water was initiated in 2022.
The goal then, as now, was to process different, real narratives around water. In the context of a global crisis, we continue to investigate this topic artistically so that we may all advocate for a solidary and sustainable society in which human rights are not a privilege.
Narratives of Water is a research based artist-collective currently consisting of:
Ana Paulina Flores de la Torre
Elisabeth Utz
Juan Carlos Vértiz Márquez
Paul Takunda Chiwona
Sofia Zorzi
2025
2024
2024
2023
2023
2023
2023
2022
Clanz Residency hosted by Gangart; Trieste, Italy
Design without borders, Umelka Gallery, Bratislava, Slovakia
Design without borders, Kiscell Museum, Budapest, Hungary
Platzprobleme, Vienna Design Week; Vienna, Austria
What is essential is invisible to the eye, Narratives of Water; Vienna, Austria
Wasser Teilen, Volkskundemuseum, Vienna, Austria
Vienna Bycicle Water Tour, Social Design & Raum für Nachhaltigkeit, Vienna, Austria
Narratives of Water, Narratives of Water; Vienna, Austria