JihoonPark-LookingOutwards-02

For the course, Case Study on Architecture, I was given an object in a school to research and identify materialistic, social and political relationship to its context. The object being a fire sprinkler, tracing back to the water source seemed to be a reasonable path to take.

Water is an indispensable utility along with gas and electricity, more than if not just as much as these. To trace water is to trace our path  of living and the way we curve nature to gain what we want.

The works of David Wicks maps the water ways of the US through water consumption data and rainfall statistics. Basically, the program identifies locations which consumes the most water and therefore requires more water to be pumped and channeled from faraway places with rainfall.

Though only data shown in the map pertains to rainfall and water consumption, it is more than that. The map reveals simple statistical information from population density to geography and climate, and further providing insight into the fact that the utility we use daily are not in fact for granted.

The way he amalgamated the interactive animation to a crucial problem of today in a way that could be so consistent in its representation of the core value is admirable. Wicks’ computational creation is reveals something we should strive for in making social conscious art.