JIATONG HAN

This project aims to engage audiences in a cross-cultural dialogue on water commodification, ecological justice, and the power dynamics between multinational corporations, local governments, and affected communities. Through dynamic installations, sound art, and participatory mapping, The Voice of Water emphasizes the need for fair water distribution and ecological sustainability.

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1. Project Theme

• Core Issues: The commodification of water, the deprivation of community power, and the consequences of ecological inequality.

• Artistic Response: Through the metaphorical and material nature of water, the project exposes its dual role as a carrier of power in the conflict between capital and community, while providing a platform for oppressed communities to voice their struggles.

 

2. Project Form and Components

A. Central Installation Art: The Vanishing Well

• Concept: Create a dynamic water well installation that symbolizes the gradual depletion of community water resources.

• Form:

  • A virtual water well placed at the center of the exhibition hall, with a programmable projector installed inside to project a slowly descending water level. Over time, the water gradually decreases, ultimately drying up.

  • The projected images are synchronized with sound, playing local villagers' recorded voices, including their demands, protest slogans, and the sounds of daily water collection.

  • Empty plastic bottles scattered around the floor symbolize water resources commodified by multinational corporations.
     

*Alternative Multi-frequency Video: The Vanishing Well

a. Coca-Cola:

Consumption Scene: Depictions of Coca-Cola consumption.

Exploitation Scene: Footage of water source exploitation for production.

Coca-Cola Drinking Scene: The act of drinking Coca-Cola.

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b. Darjeeling Tea:​​

Beautiful Tea Garden and Traditional Tea Ceremony: Advertising clips.

Exploitation Scene: Footage of tea workers laboring in poor living conditions.

Coca-Cola Drinking Scene: The act of drinking Coca-Cola.

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c. Starbucks Coffee:​​

Consumption Scene: Visual symbols of Starbucks stores and coffee cups.

Exploitation Scene: Footage of workers laboring on coffee plantations.

Drinking Coffee Scene: The act of drinking coffee.
 

B. Sound Art: The Lament of Water

• Concept: Water as an oppressed entity gives voice to its unheard suffering.

• Form:

  • A sound system embedded in the exhibition hall plays alternating natural water sounds (e.g., flowing rivers) and industrial sounds (e.g., factory wastewater, pump noises), creating a contrast.

  • The sounds intensify, with industrial noises overwhelming the natural water sounds, symbolizing the dominance and erosion of nature by capital forces.

  • The voices of the Indian government and Coca-Cola’s statements, such as news reports, are also included.

 

C. Participatory Art: Mapping Water Justice

• Concept: Empower affected communities to visualize their water resource issues.

• Form:

  • Detailed maps of water resource distribution, dried-up wells, and polluted areas in Kerala.

  • Invite residents from Kerala, India, to participate in creating a "Water Justice Map". Participants will mark past water resource locations, current dried-up wells, and polluted areas on the map.

  • Each marked point will include a voice narration or video clip from the residents, sharing their stories and demands.