L'ÉQUATION DE L'EAU  (Equação da água)

FRANCAIS>>>

The Equation for Water is an abstract representation of water. It looks scientific and is seemingly emotionless like a map or a diagram. But far from being an arid formula, The Equation for Water stretches out in the shadow of the bridge like so many lily pads on the lake reflecting the Opera de Arame, in a nod to Monet’s Water Lily Pond.

Brazil and Canada are known for their large reserves of renewable fresh water, with Brazil alone holding nearly 20 percent of the planet’s blue gold. Everyone knows that H20 is water. But what is water? My fingers, wandering across the keyboard, finally landed on three symbols lying side by side: $%? So there it was, the equation for water:

H20 = $%?

With the support of the Manifestation internationale d’art de Québec (Manif d’art), Quebec artist Jean-Yves Vigneau has produced an in situ piece at the 5th edition of Vento Sul, a Brazilian biennale of contemporary visual arts. The Equation for Water (A equação da água) was installed in the lake beside the Opera de Arame in the city of Curitiba, Brazil, and will be presented until October 11. The 2009 biennale, under the theme Agua Grande: Altered Maps, is featuring the works of over 80 artists from 29 countries.

Thank you to the team at the Vento Sul Biennale, to the employees at the Opera de Arame, and to my two assistants and interpreters, Fernanda and Helena, who all contributed generously to the realization of this work.