How do we see the unseen?
The HydroEcologies series explores the hidden story of relationships between groundwater and human impact on climate along the Front Range Urban Corridor. Data from selected wells is transformed into a visual narrative using locally sourced materials to address the ongoing drought crisis in the area. We leave traces of our impact on the surrounding world that becomes a part of the unseen story of water. From November 2022- May 2023 I worked closely with Suzanne Anderson, Ph.D., USGS, and local communities to reveal the hidden narrative of groundwater- its history, data collection, and its relationship with local communities, and potential future through creating a series of activated light sculptures.
The resulting sculptural work provides a complex narrative of the water reservoir hidden beneath our feet. For more information, see https://www.usgs.gov/publications/ground-water-and-surface-water-a-single-resource.
The project is aimed to bring awareness to the drought issue, data collection of the wells, and its accessibility to the general public. The project invites participants to contribute by sharing insight on groundwater (usage, distribution, information and data availability, and other issues ). Darya has traveled to 5 locations and done talks and geolocation walks with different communities to hear the stories and record them via a collective drawing.
In collaboration with Susan Anderson, Ph.D. Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado, Boulder.
Mike Clark, USGS, Waterdata Support, William Andrews and Katharine Dahm, USGS, Denver, Waterdata support, Kirk Weiss, USAFA Well monitoring, David Jadric, data processing support.
Community Engagement and Collaborative Artwork Creation: MSU Environmental Art class with Prof. Natascha Seideneck( for Denver) BloBack Gallery (for Pueblo), CU Denver Bioart Class Department of Architecture and Wild Futures Labs with Prof. Assia Crowford (for Denver) Air Force Academy cadets and faculty (for Castle Rock), Boulder County Arts Alliance and Dairy Art Center (Boulder, Manitou Arts Center( for Colorado Springs)
The project was funded through The Office for Outreach and Engagement Colorado Art Science Environment (CASE) Fellows program, as the latest incarnation of the office’s work to connect the arts, sciences, and community for shared action on Colorado’s interrelated social and environmental issues.
CASE Fellows are artists from all corners of Colorado and CU Boulder scientists who will work in teams to produce artworks that will be exhibited at the Colorado State Capitol as part of the Colorado Creative Industries Creative Capital program, May-September 2023 (opening date May 19, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m). The exhibition, Coloradans and Our Shared Environment in Times of Challenge and Change will tell the story of how Coloradans are experiencing interrelated challenges of fire, drought, and water and air quality in their communities. The CASE Fellows aim to build a sense of connection around Colorado environmental issues by co-ideating artwork with input from communities.
For more info please visit https://chttps://casefellows.buffscreate.net/asefellows.buffscreate.net/unseen-hydroecologies-of-the-front-range-urban-corridor/
We gathered 94 years of monthly measurements and daily field recordings from the US Geological Survey, National Ground-Water Monitoring Network, and CU Boulder datasets. We transform data from select wells into a visual narrative with representations of annual water level variations in circular paper forms that bulge and shrink as water levels rise and fall. Wells were selected for the length of measurement record and proximity to urban areas in/near Denver Water Basin. 5 Artworks were created for each designated well: Pueblo, Colorado Springs, Castle Rock, Denver and Boulder.
The resulting sculptural work provides a complex narrative on the water reservoir hidden beneath our feet. For more information, see https://www.usgs.gov/publications/ground-water-and-surface-water-a-single-resource.
5 locations of the wells across the Front Range
Colorado Springs well (1987-2022) was missing a lot of data so we extrapolated it corresponding with yearly and monthly statistics. Some years were missing the data. So they were removed from the final sculpture.
The data was translated into radar charts and scaled to show the relationship between each well.
Rechargeable Motion Sensor customized for the LED Strip, Recyled PlexiGlass, and Ucycled Vellum processed with soil and water from the location, 18”x18”.
Rechargeable Motion Sensor customized for the LED Strip, Recyled PlexiGlass, and Ucycled Vellum processed with soil and water from the location, 18”x18”.
Rechargeable Motion Sensor customized for the LED Strip, Recyled PlexiGlass, and Ucycled Vellum processed with soil and water from the location, 18”x18”.
Rechargeable Motion Sensor customized for the LED Strip, Recyled PlexiGlass, and Ucycled Vellum processed with soil and water from the location, 18”x18”.
The sculptures were created using locally sourced materials to emphasize the impact of Drought further, fueled by Climate Change and human management of water in Colorado. The paper sculpture is made from upcycled vellum processed with soil and water from each location. Each sheet of paper corresponds with a specific year and combines all the data from each designated well. The data is represented by torn edges of each sheet with the lowest water level values radiating from the center. The paper is embedded into the custom-made lightbox. Warm light illuminates the sculpture from within - shedding light onto unseen HydroEcologies of the Colorado Front Range. As a part of the human/water narrative, walks with local communities discussing their relationships with water were recorded via GPS tracking and laser etched into the sculptures.
As a part of the human/water narrative, walks with local communities discussing their relationships with water were recorded via GPS tracking and laser etched into the sculptures. The walks were conducted in the months of March and April and laser etched on the right side of the sculptures to correspond with the specific month on the radar chart.
Community Engagement and Collaborative Artwork Creation: Boulder County Arts Alliance and Dairy Art Center (Boulder/Betasso), MSU Environmental Art class with Prof. Natascha Seideneck(for Denver), CU Denver Bioart Class Department of Architecture and Wild Futures Labs with Prof. Assia Crowford (for Denver), Air Force Academy cadets and faculty (for Castle Rock), Manitou Arts Center (for Colorado Springs), BloBack Gallery (for Pueblo).
I started this project with a rough idea of what it will encompass and it has become so much bigger. My work is based on sustainable art practices principles meaning I try as much as I can to examine and source my materials locally: using recycled, often biodegradable or bioinert materials, supporting local businesses for fabrication, utilizing my travel time to be as efficient as possible. Following these practices can sufficiently slow down the art-making process but I find this is a way of bringing awareness back to my work. It is an important element of the creative process.
During the past months, I found out that the data we were looking for is often not consistent or accessible: we had to process field recordings from 3 wells with hundreds or sometimes thousands of data points to create monthly statistics; some of the wells I visited were on private property even though the well was install by USGS - I did not want to impose, however, the owners were willing to share their stories. I realized how complex and multilayered the “ HydroEcologies, Unseen'' is: every single person I talked to either during collaborative community walks or personal encounters, including scientists, well-management teams, teachers, students, and kids had something to share. And the overall undertone of all the conversations was a concern for the future of water in the state. HydroEcologies, Unseen is the beginning of the bigger research project to reveal the hidden story of water.
Data translated into radar charts, lasercut wood, 16”x16”
Data translated into radar charts, lasercut wood, 16”x16”
Data translated into radar charts, lasercut wood, 16”x16”
Data translated into radar charts, lasercut wood, 16”x16”
Data translated into radar charts, lasercut wood, 16”x16”
All wells
at Colorado State Capitol