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Water=Life Opening Celebration, and the past, present and future of water through the lens of art

November 14, 2019

This Saturday, Nov. 16, the Water=Life public art installation will take shape in Mesa's Riverview Park, following months of community workshops and preparation  wherein the core team of artists sourced community ideas, dreams, concerns and stories to create a shared, immersive art experience that aims to both draw us in to a poignant message and remind us of the preciousness of water as a life force.

 

See the result and add your own mark to the project in the opening celebration event, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., free at Mesa's Riverview Park. 

 

Things to do and see at the opening celebration:

 

Immersive art installation 

The unique sound and visual installation invites visitors to explore a "stream" guiding them to an inner circle where a soundscape and story walk highlight our relationship with water. 

 

Screen printing

Artist Thomas "Breeze" Marcus created an original image to represent the project, and Jared Yazzie will offer mobile screenprinting opportunities on site. The first 200 people to participate will get a free tote bag to screen print. Everyone is encouraged to bring their own t-shirt or tote to make and take home their own souvenir. 

 

Live performances 

5-time world champion hoop dancer and lead artist on the project, Tony Duncan, will perform, along with storytellers Martha Ludlow Martinez and Liz Warren, and Toby Jose. Don't miss the roaming Blue Heron performed by Katharine Simpson (also seen at Mesa Arts Center's Season Kickoff).

 

Meet the lead artists

The lead artists behind the project, Tony Duncan, Violet Duncan, Toby Jose, Ron Carlos, Danielle Wood, Rich Littlefield and Katharine Simpson, will be in attendance, performing and in some cases facilitating activities throughout the event. 

 

Make your mark

Add to the project installation through one of the hands-on activities offered for all ages. 

 

Share your story and experience

Use #waterequalslife to share your water story, and your experience at the event. 

 

“The project installation is intended to be symbolic of collaboration, with people coming together to share stories and memories of water,” said Tony Duncan, lead artist. The installation will be installed in the park, which was once the site of 10+ ancient canals, through Nov. 24.  

 

The project is made possible by the Water Public Art Challenge, presented by the Arizona Community Foundation, Republic Media and Morrison Institute for Public Policy. City of Mesa was one of five winners in the Water Public Art Challenge. 

 

The project is presented by the City of Mesa and several of its departments, including the Department of Arts and Culture (Mesa Arts Center, i.d.e.a. Museum and Arizona Museum of Natural History), Department of Environmental Management & Sustainability, Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities, and the Department of Water Resources. 

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