After witnessing an extreme water shortage in Ethiopia in 2007, artist and filmmaker Mary Jordan was inspired to begin an initiative to draw attention to this global issue. The Water Tank Project is a New York City public art installation in which 100 established artists as well as a select few NYC public high school students are given the opportunity to transform iconic water towers sitting high above the city into works of art.
The structures are the canvas on which the artists create and there is no limit to what the designs will be. Along with the exhibition in the sky, the large public art show also promotes awareness through educational programs, public tours, and social media activities in the hopes that viewers will be inspired to take action.
“We are creating symbols of water abundance and raising awareness about our global water issue, one tank at a time,” explains Jordan, founder and creative director of the initiative. “My hope is that everyone everywhere is inspired by the project, and is encouraged to learn how they can make a difference.”
