CR Blog
Watermarks project
Posted by Mark Sinclair, 11 February 2009, 14:53 Permalink Comments (14)
An undoubtedly devastating aspect of climate change is rising sea levels. It's also one that many people in the UK no doubt find hard to visualise; severe flooding (Boscastle, 2004) and coastline erosion (Holderness, on-going) likely being the closest we get to experience its potential impact. In Bristol, a public arts project that sought to highlight the impact of rising seas comes to an end tomorrow night. Projecting watermark lines onto various buildings across the city, artist Chris Bodle has no doubt made many people stop and think. Thanks to Ben for his initial post on Watermarks at Noisy Decent Graphics...
The organisers of the Watermarks project explain their intentions as follows:
"Flood level marks will be projected on to the sides of buildings, showing how high water levels could potentially rise as the sea inundates the central, low lying areas of Bristol. By displaying these levels in real space, the project aims to help us to imagine the depth and extent of this potential future flooding - allowing us to measure them against ourselves in familiar environments.
"The complexity and inherent uncertainty involved in predicting sea level rise means there is little consensus across the global scientific community as to how much sea levels could rise in the coming decades. The Watermarks project will use current UK government predictions for the next century to set key flood mark levels. The project, however, will also acknowledge uncertainty explore other scenarios.
"Although the message is stark, the flood levels shown are as if the city is undefended and adaption measures have not been put in place. As the waters gradually rise over the coming century, there is much we can do to adapt and defend."
More information is at watermarksproject.org.
14 Comments
as ever... the simple ideas are often the best. very thought provoking and (actually) quite scary!
2009-02-11 17:09:38
A student at Ravensbourne who graduated in 2007 in
graphic design, entered and identical concept into the RSA
design awards. It's a great idea but incidently leaving on
television systems and electrical items (projectors)
contributes to the rise of sea level so this medium is completly
contradictory.
2009-02-11 21:17:16
Fascinating. We have all become aware of the possibility of rising sea levels and I think the threat has grown significantly in the past few years. It's quite a scary thing and I don't know how much we can do about it, the damage may already be done. This is a great way to educate people of the results of such a thing and finally make them realize that it is time for us to wake up and do something about it. It is a slow process that must be sped up. Thanks for posting this. I'm really glad to have the opportunity to see it.
2009-02-11 21:21:18
Gaynoir:
Give another method that wouldn't contribute to rising sea level. I think you'll find everyway would. For example, if we used materials like ink, paint etc the manufacturing of these doesn't help the rising sea levels. I think you are over complicating a nice bit of design, everything somewhere has it pitfuls, but its about weighing them up and judging what the best outcome is.
2009-02-12 11:54:27
done before, even 'the student' was late
But it is confronting though
2009-02-12 12:20:56
Gaynoir:
A lot of people that see this statistic will think about their contribution to global warming. Therefore the reduction of electricity used by the general public will be greater than this piece is generating.
The idea is very strong and so is the final piece. People really need to stop over-thinking design.
2009-02-12 12:59:23
This concept needs to be done in the states, where most of our coastal line is definitely a victim to rising levels of the sea.
This is a standout, non-criminal type of medium being used, in which you deface property "momentarily" without permanent damage and at the same time you create strong visuals for the local resident who could one day be the victim of this event.
5 star post
2009-02-12 14:44:10
I'm not saying that the idea isn't a strong one of course it is. But, you need to take into account the context in which it is being used. That's what design IS! design is here to reflect political and cultural contexts... without this we would not be able to interpret design and these pretty lines would be meaningless.
Also to Mark, there are ink processes that are less power consuming the leaving a projector on.
Biological for example - how about botanical signage? it's non damaging, even self producing, the aesthetic can manage itself. Obviously this is just suggestions.
It is great design, but I just think that the medium has been overlooked. Would you leave a projector on at home? or lights on? or would you think this is damaging to the environment, not to mention a waste of money.
Designers need to start taking responsibility and possibly lead the way for alternative futures. This is just my opinion.
2009-02-12 16:38:32
I love this but unfortunately I don't think we will change our lives until the water is swilling around our ankles!
2009-02-12 16:57:04
I think it's a lovely and thought provoking piece of work. I can see several more offensive creators of green house gasses in the actual photographs themselves than in the art. Why can't people just accept design for what it is meant to be, life is complicated enough.
2009-02-13 13:28:32
Gaynoir,
I understand what you are saying, but its a small drop in a big ocean. Think of all the design agencies/ printers that leave macs sitched on overnight to create a substitute print format. I don't think its worth thinking about too deeply, every route as I said before has its pitfuls
2009-02-14 18:58:32
Very well said CMKIN.
2009-02-14 19:16:42
Thanks for highlighting an important issue, may be some people know nothing about that russian glaciers melting with great speed due to heat we increase by using different energies. Think about that what happens if the glaciers are completely melt, i think life will not be possible. Need to think what we can do for saving this beautifull world with their natural beauty.
2009-05-02 09:42:48
sooo beautiful location!!! love em!!! :)
2010-01-08 14:28:00
Get the RSS Feed
Most recently commented
Most read
| Farrow designs Format for PSB |
| Wordplay in Selfridges' windows |
| VW: The Dog Strikes Back |
| The £25 logo |
| BBC unveils redesigned Sport site |
Subjects
| Advertising | (1034) | |
| Art | (387) | |
| Books | (248) | |
| Digital | (407) | |
| Graphic Design | (1120) | |
| Illustration | (623) | |
| Magazine / Newspaper | (196) | |
| Music Video / Film | (706) | |
| Photography | (355) | |
| Type / Typography | (247) |
