WATER SLIDE
#WaterSafety #Plastic Consumption #LandSovereignty #Fracking
This installation is made of recycled materials including colorful plastic slides, clear plastic jugs used for storing water, and smaller plastic water bottles. The colorful slides lay on the leafy ground in a winding pattern that mimics a river, they are filled with plastic bottles, other miscellaneous plastic parts (such as pink lawn flamingos, broken children’s toys, and old holiday decorations), and cinder blocks. A figure made of larger plastic bottles looks over the river installation. A tree next to the plastic river has a large green metal fish hanging on the trunk. A red wooden bridge with a matching red trellis arching over it crosses over the plastic river behind the tree, leading into another section of the garden.
Content compiled by Shelby Beard
LOCAL AND NATIONAL IMPACT
Access to clean water is considered a human right by most, though many areas in the United States are threatened by water safety issues. Polluted drinking and fishing waters negatively impact the economy, environment, and public health on local and nationals levels.
Learn about the installation and its local roots:
Coal Ash Pollution by Duke Energy
Mountain Energy leak into French Broad River
Dakota Access Pipeline and Flint, Michigan
Credit Where Credit Is Due: Race and Recognition in Responses to the Drinking Water Crisis in Flint
STORIES FROM THE GARDEN
Natalie Gallegos's response to People Over Pipelines
“While strolling through the gardens, many sculptures are presented that have been made entirely from garbage that once riddled that very street. The owner decided to embrace the mess and flip it so there could be meaning and representation to topics that are either ignored or touchy that yet need to be discussed.”
Nikki Kanakamedala's analysis of People Over Pipelines
“You can also observe a bright yellow tray on wheels filled with empty prescription boxes which signify the growing rates of water infestation by medications, especially those that are highly addictive."
“By using different elements that are available to them, DeWayne and his volunteers are able to create an intimate relationship with their work, which further establishes a strong connection to the wider social theme that the sculpture itself represents.”
“One of the components that struck me most about this sculpture is a poster of a four-month-old fetus in a womb. This resonated with me as the creator of this sculpture obviously wanted the audience to make a connection about the importance of clean drinking water and the importance of the availability of water during pregnancy, as well as the impact of water on a fetus.”
TAKE ACTION
Donate to Flint, MI Water Fund
Learn more about Clean Water in North Carolina
USA Environmental Protection Agency on water
