Centre for the Interpretation of Water and Power
Centro Negra,
Blanca, Spain
July 19, 2014
The Centre for the Interpretation of Water and Power (CIWP) takes its name from an institution located in Blanca, Murcia dedicated to the historical use of water in the region. CIWP presents a counter historical narrative appropriating object-based narrative constructions to investigate the historical and on-going tensions between the state/empire, labour, water and land. Drawing a lineage to the first systemic exploitation of land and resources under the Almohad period, the work examines how subsequent political regimes have relied on the manipulation of water to produce and reproduce power and how these interventions have left indelible traces on the landscape. CIWP further examines not only the flow of water but also of labour and how the flow of migrants from North Africa seeking work in farming industries have facilitated contemporary flows of produce in a European system.
Defaced Monument of Franco in Blanca
PLUS ULTRA
Absence
Ricote Valley clay, evaporated water from the Segura River, and impression of defaced Franco monument in Blanca.
Toy soldier found on the road adjacent to the canal.
Ceratonia siliqua seeds and dry pods gathered in the Ricote Valley in Birdseye Tetraclinis burl bowl from the Atlas Mountains, Morocco.
Commonly used for feeding cattle and humans in times of drought they also
served as a unit of measure for the weight of gold and the etymology of the term carat.
Shotgun shells found in the mountain pass adjacent the canal.
The July harvest of the Ricote Valley, hand made reed baskets made in the Ricote Valley, laid atop an elongated Almohad flag sewn by Moroccan dressmaker Saadia El Ankaoui.
Exhibition view
Exhibition view
Exhibition view