Water is the essence of all life. It flows through rivers and seas, feeds our cities and connects people across time and space. In urban areas, where concrete and glass dominate, this fundamental resource is often reduced to its mere functionality: drinking water from the tap, a cool dip on a hot summer's day or a picturesque view of the lake. But what happens when we look at water not only as a resource, but also as a cultural asset, as a medium of stories and as a mirror of change?
Tiefenbrunnen lido as a cultural stage
Since the 1920s, the Tiefenbrunnen lido has been a place of recreation and connection to nature in the middle of Zurich. But water here not only serves as a place of retreat, but also as an indicator of how society deals with natural goods. The quality and accessibility of our waters reflect how we, as a community, value, protect and use these resources. In the past few years, the challenges have become clear: climate change, pollution and increasing water scarcity are not only a burden on global ecosystems, but also on local water bodies. At first glance, Zurich may appear to be a water paradise, with its clear lake and invigorating rivers. But even here, extreme weather events such as flooding and droughtsare making us aware that we need to find a more careful way of dealing with this vital resource.
Water in the city: a global issue
Urban water is a symbol of our time. In megacities like Cape Town and Mexico City, millions of people struggle with water shortages. In Jakarta, the sea is inexorably creeping into the streets, while cities like Venice are literally sinking due to rising sea levels. These global crises show that water is not inexhaustible. Its scarcity is not only an ecological problem, but also a social and cultural challenge. «Urban Waters» takes up this global urgency and connects it to local realities. Zurich is not only the city of fountains, but also a place where water must be protected sustainably and in the long term.
The arts as a medium of experience
Rather than presenting scientific facts in a sober manner, «Urban Waters» relies on the transformative power of the arts. Why? Because the arts offer direct access to our emotions and senses. They challenge and inspire, invite us to make our own experiences and discover new perspectives. In the video performance «Where Does the Dream Begin?’ Mapuche artist Neyen Pailamilla traces the spiritual connection between humans and rivers, while the audio walk «SeeCode» by Diana Fry translates the invisible sound world of Lake Zurich into poetic language. Visitors are invited to hear and feel the water and perceive it as a living entity – not as a mere backdrop. In projects such as «Fussbad für alle» (Footbath for All) by Julia Weber and Mayumi Arai, the lido at Tiefenbrunnen is transformed into a space where lake water is experienced as a resource for care and solidarity. A DIY footbath infrastructure is used to create connections between strangers and question the usual use of the water. In this context, topics such as social responsibility and political perspectives are addressed that reflect the way we as a society deal with water and the resources of nature. ‘Urban Waters’ invites us not only to question these topics intellectually, but also to bring them to life through the sensual experience of artworks that place water at their centre.