Passage

A functional sculpture, Passage inquires of the characteristics of both treated and untreated waters. twin gravity-fed filters of local sourced and repurposed materials cleaned the waters. I built this artwork to convey our relationship with water, standing as a science experiment. My investigation of these two waters was like learning about other lives. I asked of her source, what obstacles to overcome, baggage to carry, traumas she endured. Water communicates through varying movements, holds abilities to cleanse, power to create and destroy, and to blend with other mediums. The potential for water to mix with other substances is where this project retrieved chemical expressions from this life-giver. These expressions were translated via laboratory testing.

Treated tap water passed through Filter A. My goal was to understand the water composition analysis before and after approximately five hundred eighty hours of filtration and improve the taste of it. Our local treated water has the taste of chlorine, which kills harmful bacteria. The porosity of Filter A retained chlorine and allowed the water to pass. Chemical analysis revealed a signature that relieved my concern for the water taste, or raised questions about my process for making the water healthier.

Filter B worked just like its twin; however, once the sixty liters of untreated Cole Creek water flowed through, it was dosed with constant ultraviolet radiation from fluorescent bulbs. UV radiation is proven to deactivate microbial life in water. The process of discovery of the water health is identical to Filter A, but with this additional function of Filter B. My goal was to improve the quality of this tributary water, thus healing and giving back in a restorative way. A second water testing from the laboratory provided more insight of how we can enhance our awareness and foster better relationships with water.