How do we talk about drainage systems, pump stations, and the Sewerage & Water Board in a city that floods?

Over the course of 2019, Civic Studio engaged four artists to produce unique bodies of work which explore different facets of the water system, and paired the artwork with in-depth interviews of pump station operators. Through photography, storytelling, painting, and public art, we sought to engage the region’s residents in exploring the role of pump stations in shaping the urban landscape, while also lifting up the experiences and expertise of the people who operate these pumps stations. We worked with the Times Picayune/New Orleans Advocate to distribute over 90,000 copies of Mixed Media as a special print feature, and developed a standalone website that serves the region as a public resource in support of robust public dialogue on water management and “living with water” in New Orleans.

Please visit https://issue2.mxd.media/ to see the project in full.

Period: 2019

Project Type: Civic Studio art and media

Partners: New Orleans Advocate/Times Picayune, Water Leaders Institute, Central City Renaissance Alliance, Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans

Artists: Carole Alden, Christine “Cfreedom” Brown, Maggie Hermann, Anne Nelson

Team: Aron Chang, Liam Grealy, Maggie Hermann, Bridgette Ortiz, Eriks Reks, Alex Stokes, Lilith Winkler-Schor

Tags: water, infrastructure, photography, painting, public art, media, storytelling, documentation