Brightwater Art Plan
Ellen Sollod, Jann Rosen-Queralt, Buster Simpson
Brightwater
A cohesive vision connects artworks throughout a multifaceted 70-acre site.
In 1999, Ellen Sollod, Jann Rosen-Queralt, and Buster Simpson became the lead artists for Brightwater, one of the largest wastewater treatment facilities in the world. Together, they embarked on a years-long collaboration that ultimately yielded an art plan to guide all future artwork at the 70-acre site.
Outlining a series of principles and criteria, the plan describes a philosophical approach to artwork development at Brightwater as it endeavors to educate the public about the importance and function of wastewater management. The plan not only considers art opportunities themselves, but also Brightwater’s architecture, landscape architecture, engineering, and educational programming. It invites future commissioned artists to contribute to the site as provocateurs, collaborators, makers, and thinkers.Continue Reading ›
The lead artists behind the plan call for Brightwater’s art program to provide “synesthetic experiences” driven by environmental stewardship and coalesced around themes of water, culture, science, and reclamation. For artworks inside the treatment plant, the plan recommends scientific and technical explorations of human intervention in the water cycle. For works on the sprawling Brightwater grounds, the plan suggests contemplative works that complement the surrounding natural habitat. And for inside Brightwater’s Environmental Education and Community Center, the plan describes intuitive, interactive projects that interpret the site for visiting students and the public.
Following the completion of this art plan, Sollod, Rosen-Queralt, and Simpson were each commissioned to create their own significant artworks for Brightwater as well.
About the Location
Brightwater
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