Whilst the idea of water as a metaphor allows us to rethink fundamental concepts in disciplines from art to history to finance, it is appropriate to conclude by returning to the fundamental binds between water and human life. Ranjitsinh Gaekwad brought his Indian heritage to bear in producing three canvases inspired by the Lotus flower, which from the Eastern spiritual perspective represents peace, purity and life – an appropriate metaphor, therefore, for the challenges faced by people suffering water conflicts, pollution and consequent threats to their way of life. He also created a thirteen-foot copper and brass sculpture entitled ‘Vessels of Life.’ The design for the sculpture was inspired by those women in developing countries who carry water pots long distances for domestic use, and offers a stark visual reminder of the inequalities in water supply between the developed and developing world.
As many of the scholars and events in this section demonstrate, we understand our world through art and language, as much as through scientific definitions of the chemistry or geology of water. Water is essential to our biological existence but also – to pick up on one of the IAS’s earlier themes – fundamental to our notions of what it means to ‘be human’ in the wider world.
On 25 November 2009, His Highness the Maharaja of Baroda, Ranjitsinh Gaekwad, unveiled his public sculpture, ‘Vessels of Life,’ in the University’s Botanic Garden.
The sculpture comprises eight copper pots, stacked one on top of the other, and embellished with plants, flowers, birds, fish and animals. At the bottom of the sculpture, perhaps the most significant addition is a single tap, placed there to express the artist’s concern that the water, on which humans and all the animals, flowers and birds represented on the sculpture are so reliant, is draining away.
IAS Insights papers by Jennifer Terry, Iain Chambers and Paul Langley can be read at:
www.durham.ac.uk/ias/insights/water
Reflections
“In India we have every type of problem that can be associated with water, from drought to flooding. The creatures represented on the sculpture are all in danger of extinction. They rely on water for their existence and humans need to be aware that they have a responsibility to preserve water not only for themselves but for all creatures on this planet.” Ranjitsinh Gaekwad
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