D I S T A N C E , 2019 Pa[E/S]saggi, Tirano, Italy
Material: Concrete elements, dirt and plants
Size: approx. 10m x 10m, 90m path
Photos by Alex Bombardieri
The new UNICEF/WHO report states that 263 million people worldwide have access to water sources that are considered safe but need to spend at least 30 minutes walking or queuing to collect their water. Another 159 million get their water from surface sources that are considered to be the most unsafe, such as rivers, streams and ponds. The burden of fetching water often falls on women and children, especially girls.
Millions of women and girls spend hours every day traveling to water sources, waiting in line and carrying heavy loads – often several times a day. In addition to health issues caused by carrying the heavy load, fetching water can also be very dangerous. The women and girls can face conflict at water points and the risk of physical or sexual assault. For children, water collection can take time away from their education and sometimes even prevent their attending school altogether.
The work consists of brick-like elements of soil that create a path to the fountain. The path which is shaped as maze makes the distance to reach the water much longer than usually – a reminder of the distance some must travel to fetch clean water. In the soil there are seeds that may grow into edible plants if they are watered by the people using the maze (or by rain if there is some).
This is an invitation to share the water, but also a comment on how important water is for the existence of every living being.
Material: Concrete elements, dirt and plants
Size: approx. 10m x 10m, 90m path
Photos by Alex Bombardieri
The new UNICEF/WHO report states that 263 million people worldwide have access to water sources that are considered safe but need to spend at least 30 minutes walking or queuing to collect their water. Another 159 million get their water from surface sources that are considered to be the most unsafe, such as rivers, streams and ponds. The burden of fetching water often falls on women and children, especially girls.
Millions of women and girls spend hours every day traveling to water sources, waiting in line and carrying heavy loads – often several times a day. In addition to health issues caused by carrying the heavy load, fetching water can also be very dangerous. The women and girls can face conflict at water points and the risk of physical or sexual assault. For children, water collection can take time away from their education and sometimes even prevent their attending school altogether.
The work consists of brick-like elements of soil that create a path to the fountain. The path which is shaped as maze makes the distance to reach the water much longer than usually – a reminder of the distance some must travel to fetch clean water. In the soil there are seeds that may grow into edible plants if they are watered by the people using the maze (or by rain if there is some).
This is an invitation to share the water, but also a comment on how important water is for the existence of every living being.
Supported by: Svenska Kulturfonden