Considering Water Usage & Ownership: Caryl Morgan

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Authors: Heather Eck & Kerry Azzarello

Caryl Morgan, Bottled Water Rain Shower, recycled bottles,
repurposedpolycarbonate, metal, 4x6x9', 2012

Freshwater is a natural, finite resource. Bottled water is a manufactured, commercialproduct. Concept/OK Survey artist Caryl Morgan takes a critical look at both inBottled Water Rain Shower. Thiskinetic mobile, constructed from 365 re-purposed water bottles and polycarbonatetubing, requires more than just a passing glance. The translucent materialsprovide viewers with an unobstructed view. Nevertheless, Newkirk-based artist Morgan hopes therelevant issues of contemporary water usage and ownership are not overlooked. OVACintern Heather Eck interviewed the artist to learn more.
Q: What inspired Bottled Water Rain Shower?Morgan: I live in a smalltown with an agricultural economic base. The drought has impacted the communityin a variety of ways. For two years we have received a letter each month on thequestionable quality of the city drinking water. This has resulted in thecitizens losing confidence in drinking the local water. Another source ofinspiration is a painting series that I have been working on for two yearsbased on vintage neon signs. I have been photographing signs throughout theMidwest and without exception I would see discarded water bottles in the area Iwas photographing. This made me question the need for these bottles as well asthe reason we purchase a free resource in bottled form. Reading news reportsacross the country, it is evident that water is an issue and led to my owndivergent thinking. Who owns water? Why should we pay for water that is thevery source of our success as a species?

Caryl Morgan prepares to install Bottled Water Rain Shower
at the Hardesty Arts Center

Q: Are environmental issues important toyou? Are they prevalent in your work?Morgan:During the ‘60s, I demonstrated for and against issues, including rallies toprevent the building of the Black Fox Nuclear Plant for electricity. The issueof water became more acute when I first moved to Kay County because theartesian well responsible for watering stock went dry. Now the community isvery concerned about the loss of crops and the inability to maintain livestock.During the 2012 presidential campaigns, the Republicans talked a great dealabout the Canada Pipe line an important issue saying it would bring more jobs,energy independence and restore the economy. What was not said about this issuewas that the pipeline runs the length of the Ogallala Aquifer, the major sourceof water for the Great Plains and the concern that one environmental oil spillcould pollute the aquifer for generations to come.
Q: What was yourtechnical process in creating this installation?Morgan:I knew what I wanted: kinetic movement and the shimmering effervescence ofwater. I began cutting off the top and the bottom of the bottles, then by cuttinga continuous cut around the body I created long curls. When placed in a groupthey have a shimmering quality. I then decided to make a mobile to enhancekinetic property. I have made dozens of them over the years because I used theprocess to introduce student to three-dimensional design and how sculpturefunctions in space when I was teaching high school. Bottled Water Rain Shower required me to add 3-D pieces to themobile. I began with twisted wire and then moved to rods with brazed fittingswhich gave the desired effect and greater capacity for movement.
Q: What do you wantviewers to take away from this work?Morgan:I want people to take away an aesthetic appreciation of the totality of thepiece. People that have stopped by the studio while I was constructing itimmediately wanted to touch it and see it move, touching the curls in the samefashion one would run your hand under water to feel. I hope people will leavewith questions, not sure what it means but answering those questions with theirown meanings and answers. Isn’t that the purpose of art?
Basedon Bottled Water Rain Shower and inconjunction with Concept/OK, Caryl Morgan is teaching a workshop for 5^th-7^thgrade students on Saturday, January 26 from 1-3 pm at the Hardesty ArtsCenter in Tulsa. Participants will be made aware of fresh water conservation aswell as ways to recycle and repurpose used water bottles. Students will createjewelry, wind chimes, and bird feeders completely from used water bottles.
The Concept/OK: Art inOklahoma exhibition opens December 16, 1-5 pm at the new Tulsa Artsand Humanities Council’s Hardesty Arts Center. See www.concept-ok.org for moreinformation.