LUCY + JORGE ORTA
Lucy Orta Born in 1966 in Sutton Coldfield, United Kingdom, lives and works in Paris, France Jorge Orta Born in 1953 in Rosario, Argentina, lives and works in Paris, France
OrtaWater - Purification Factory
2012
Lucy and Jorge Orta work as a collaborative multimedia visual arts practice to address critical social and ecological challenges such as water scarcity, corporate control of resources, and the impacts of climate change on migration. Taking form in works that include drawing, sculpture, and performance, their installations have investigated the possibilities of portable eco-minimal habitats and alternative models of community building. In recognition of their commitment to sustainability, they received the 2007 Green Leaf Award for Artistic Excellence, presented by the United Nations Environment Program in partnership with the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo and the Natural World Museum. Their collaborative process involves working with artists, architects, designers, craftsmen, and technicians to realize their installations. As an extension of this practice, the duo founded the community-based artistic research and production complex Les Moulins in the French countryside in 2000.
The two-part installation OrtaWater (2012)—comprising Mobile Reservoir and Portable Water Fountain—is designed in conversation with engineers to address the issue of global water scarcity and the possibilities of low-cost, accessible, portable water devices. Made of scrap metals and recycled materials, previous iterations of the project pumped and distilled water from sources including Venice’s Canal Grande and the Emmersingel in Rotterdam. It also transformed local urban vehicles, such as Mexican and Chinese tricycles, into customized portable drinking fountains.