About Liquid Art

As communicators, we are accustomed to using words to remind people that water is important for life in Southern California's coastal plain; that we must import water from the Colorado River and Northern California to supplement sparse local supplies. But words can't completely express the role water plays in our lives.

Liquid Art is a concept that gives words a rest, in favor of pictures. It accepts that water is an important element in our lives.

The concept demonstrates how we value water—perhaps even subconsciously—through public art. Water and how we feel about it is depicted in fountains, murals, and other artistic media.

These artworks say much about our culture in Southern California.

It takes talent to help us see ourselves in this prosperous, diverse and essentially arid region. In the months of planning Liquid Art, project team Debra Sass, Rob Hallwachs, Gigi Hanna, and our colleagues in Metropolitan's External Affairs Group set aside words and considered other ways to pay homage to our most important import. Debra sought out members of the region's art community, told them about the idea we had, and asked for advice on making it happen. Rob's enthusiasm for the program led us to finding a highly acclaimed photographer, Tom Bonner, to do the selected pieces the justice they deserve. Gigi helped to create art again with the Liquid Art book that depicts a simple message: Water is important to our lives in Southern California and we appreciate that it is precious, scarce and deeply meaningful. The team and our colleagues turned Liquid Art into a yearlong show that will travel throughout the region.

Words, for the most part, are few in this effort. However, I wanted to take this opportunity to say I'm thankful for water and the talented artists and colleagues who remind us how truly precious it is.

Adán Ortega, Jr.
Vice President
External Affairs