Do you go with the flow?

[Touring Mars]

STOP THIS MAN! TURN OFF THE TAPS!/
IT'S A LEGITIMATE PROTEST! LEAVE THE TAPS ON!

This weekend, UK Performance artist Mark McGowan announced that he intends to replicate a controversial 'art installation' that involves leaving taps (faucets) running as ' a protest against private control of water in the UK'.

Last year McGowan had an exhibit in a London gallery where he left just one tap running, but bowed to public pressure and switched it off after one month. This still used up some 800,000 litres of water.

This time he intends to keep the taps running at several (secret) locations in London, which will waste an estimated 100 million litres of water... given that the average person in the UK uses 150 litres of water per day (that is ~55,000 litres a year), this means that McGowan intends to deliberately waste/use as much water as over 1800 people in the name of art/protest...

Given that the Thames Valley region, as well as the rest of the South East of England is currently being hit by one of the worst winter droughts ever, and that hose-pipe/sprinkler bans will come into effect shortly, McGowan's plans have (understandably) come in for some serious criticism - by water companies, by the government, by environmental groups and by many members of the public.

Yet McGowan maintains that his 'protest' is a legitimate one, and that he has the right, as an artist, to express himself... also, ironically, his protest has also raised (or is currently raising) the profile of the issue of water wastage itself, probably encouraging many people to consider reducing their own water consumption. Also, in radio interviews etc., he highlights the fact that it is the water companies themselves who waste a collosal amount of water - which is very true - but should this mean that McGowan should be allowed to join them in wasting water?

How far should artist freedom (or even freedom of expression) be extended, when the methods involved seem to fly in the face of common sense or responsible behaviour? What are your views?? Vote in the poll and/or discuss below... (Please note this poll is not anonymous...)

News stories and relevant links:-

Call for help in drought crisis

Running tap artist to try again

Average UK water consumption

 

[Slicks]

I will say that in the face of an impending/already in-progress drought, that this is not the smartest time to launch this type of protest. However, I am against water privatisation. It is the simple nature of business to make the most money as possible on a product, which will lead to either price increases or shortcutting on safety and/or water quality. I think his protest is just and legitimate (And I would be in support of it if water weren't so scarce in England right now), but simply poorly timed. I voted to keep the taps going based on the principle of this protest.

 

[DeLoreanBrown]

In no conceivable manner could such 'unknown tap abuse' be occuring already in statistical quantity within the London metro ?
McGowan's protest could merely be mirroring wastage unless the combined civic-mindedness of Londoners would bar such a penalty from being incurred.
Install a complex pipe-monitoring system?

 

[Blake]

In Australia we have had water restrictions for a few years. I think he should keep his mouth shut, and the taps off.

 

[Tourettes Guy]

It's absolutely amazing what people call "art" ****, actually get away with it, have followers that think they are "brilliant", and even make money off of it.

 

[Jay]

In Australia we have had water restrictions for a few years. I think he should keep his mouth shut, and the taps off.

Its amazing we had water shortages years ago so restrictions were placed, in Adelaide at least we are well past the shortage but I doubt restrictions will be lifted anytime in the near future. Most people here just ignore the restrictions now anyway it seems.

 

[Small_Fryz]

personally, i dont give 2 Sh!its as its the UK and I live in Australia.

People need to conserve more water and be effeicent with it. I think Australia is pretty good on water, we've had restrictions pretty much everywhere for a few years now and it seems to work. Restrictions are the only way to raise public awareness of how important it is to conserve water. If this guy does all this then it will become head line news and will probably improve people's usage of water and turn out to be a good thing.

 

[ferrari_chris]

Turn off the taps!

Stop wasting water, grow up and get a real job!

Why doesn't he create some real art to draw attention to the water crisis. Perhaps a nice painting. None of this hippy, touchy-feely, self-experssion bull! Auction a painting and put the money towards promoting/solving the water crisis.

"But no-one will buy the painting" I hear you say. That's right, because he's not a real, or good, artist. Just an attention seeking moron!

Way to waste a natural resource buddy! 👍

 

[Casio]

Why doesn't he create some real art to draw attention to the water crisis. Perhaps a nice painting. None of this hippy, touchy-feely, self-experssion bull! Auction a painting and put the money towards promoting/solving the water crisis.

"But no-one will buy the painting" I hear you say. That's right, because he's not a real, or good, artist. Just an attention seeking moron!

Exactly right. If he painted a picture relating to water restrictions no one would give a toss. But see, by doing this, he's causing discussion about it. Just look at this thread.

That's right, because he's not a real, or good, artist.

Define 'artist'.

 

[Scaff]

Its not so much that hes trying to draw attention to the water crisis, more to the habitof UK water companies of not bothering to repair leaks in mains water lines.

Most of the UK water companies has increased prices and put in place restrictions to users, now while we are experiencing a drought here in the UK (i.e. rain fall is well below sessional norms) the water companies are not exatly helping the situation by failing to carry out standard maintenance and repairs.

As a result some of the problem is that perfectly good water is being lost, of course by not carring out this repair/maintenance work the water companies are saving money.

Unfortunatly home owners in the UK (like myself) pay for it.

From what I have seen on the news today, this appears to be the reason behind this piece of 'art' (and I use the term loosely).

Now while I do generally applaude the reason, the method being used is just plain daft in my opinion.

BTW - I am not against the water companies making money, but they do have to maintain the water network and these practices are not something I would condone. Anyway its nice to see someone other than the motor industry take a bit of stick.

Regards

Scaff

 

[King Crockery]

I think that this is an arrogant manner and not acceptable, as it mainly causes harm. Even if it creates discussion i'm not sure whether it's constructive or not, because the main point of it will easily get forgotten when focusing on the actions.

 

[ferrari_chris]

... Define 'artist'.

1. One, such as a painter, sculptor, or writer, who is able by virtue of imagination and talent or skill to create works of aesthetic value, especially in the fine arts.
2. A person whose work shows exceptional creative ability or skill: You are an artist in the kitchen.
3. One, such as an actor or singer, who works in the performing arts.
4. One who is adept at an activity, especially one involving trickery or deceit: a con artist.

All of these definitions (from Dictionary.com if you must know) refer to the person having some sort of skill level.

Where's the skill in turning on a bunch of taps. Imaginative/creative, yes. Skillful, not in my world.

I mean, sure I didn't think of turning on taps, but I can do it.

But I didn't think of painting The Starry Night either, and I can't do that.

 

[DQuaN]

I think that the suicide bomings are an issue. Therefore i shall go and blow myself up to raise awareness.


What a moron.

 

[Gen.]

Give me the location of these taps. I need free water.

 

[Jimmy Enslashay]

I think that the suicide bomings are an issue. Therefore i shall go and blow myself up to raise awareness.


What a moron.

Exactly. Man, this reminds me of the chat station on Grand Theft Auto III where they take off this kind of thing with the Citizens Raging Against Phones segment.

It's ridiculous. You're trying to cure a problem by becoming one of the causes of it? You have to be kidding. Deal with the problem in another way. Find other methods of protesting. If you can't, then you aren't thinking hard enough.

Keep your hand off the taps, moron.

 

[Lee]

Man, this reminds me of the chat station on Grand Theft Auto III where they take off this kind of thing with the Citizens Raging Against Phones segment.

Haha C.R.A.P..

So, this guy wants to further our drought problems? He's an idiot, it's this kinda things that make me wonder about Great Britain..

 

[Casio]

Apparently, the average cost of water in Canada is about 86¢ for 1000L. That seems about right as an average as I recall hearing that in Australia 1000L costs $1 AUD.

Now correct me if my math is wrong. But 100 million (100,000,000) Litres of water equates to $100,000 in water spent. I couldn't find any information on the cost of a Water Restriction advertising campaign, but I'm pretty sure that it would cost substantially more then $100,000. While raising less awareness.

1. One, such as a painter, sculptor, or writer, who is able by virtue of imagination and talent or skill to create works of aesthetic value, especially in the fine arts.
2. A person whose work shows exceptional creative ability or skill: You are an artist in the kitchen.
3. One, such as an actor or singer, who works in the performing arts.
4. One who is adept at an activity, especially one involving trickery or deceit: a con artist.

All of these definitions (from Dictionary.com if you must know) refer to the person having some sort of skill level.

Where's the skill in turning on a bunch of taps. Imaginative/creative, yes. Skillful, not in my world.

I mean, sure I didn't think of turning on taps, but I can do it.

So Christo isn't an artist then? But wait! Look! From Dictionary.com if you must know, it says he is an experimental artist! But how can this be?! There is no skill in wrapping things in plastic. Imaginative/creative, yes. So how can that be defined as art but this not?
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular]
[/FONT]

 

[Touring Mars]

Now while I do generally applaude the reason, the method being used is just plain daft in my opinion.

Pretty much my feelings on the matter too...

... that and the fact that McGowan is a smug and shameless self-publicist - he does little to engender any sympathy for himself.

I got the idea for this thread while I was brushing my teeth this morning, and remembered to shut off the cold water tap, since I always used to leave it running (hence wasting water) while I brushed... my ex-gf used to give out to me for doing that (leaving the water running)... but now, every time I go to save a bit of a water, I'll have this guy in the back of my mind...

 

[Famine]

Stick him on a water meter and I'd be fine with it.

 

[Scaff]

... that and the fact that McGowan is a smug and shameless self-publicist - he does little to engender any sympathy for himself.

Thats a very polite way of putting it, I could think of a more approriate description, but if I put it on GTP I'd have to ban myself.

Stick him on a water meter and I'd be fine with it.

Good idea.

Then again I've just had a thought, he says its got to be done in secret to stop the water companies shutting it down again with legal action (not that I can see how that would make a blind bit of difference), how does anyone know he's actually doing this.

The ultimate is self publicity, he just says he's going to do it in secret, does nothing and gets loads of press.

Then again maybe he's going to set up-web cams for them, great viewing that would be.

Regards

Scaff

 

[Impreza04]

Stick him on a water meter and I'd be fine with it.

👍 Exactly what I was going to say..

The nearest river to me (R.Medway) has been higher than average lately from what i've heard.. yet Environmentalists still say we shouldn't drain water from it for the Reservoirs..

Ok, so lets put it this was, its saving a few fish OR providing enough water for ourselves.. Sorry, but i'll go with B. Oh and the point of wastage by the Companies themselves is one the more confusing parts.. I'll save water, when you start doing it.

Back to the point, I voted turn off the taps, blatently wasting water isn't cool, even if the protest may be for a half decent casue

 

[SRV2LOW4ME]

His protest is only adding to the problem. Its like protesting childhood obesity by going out and making some kid fat. I said turn the taps off, because as an artist he should be able to be more creative then that in expressing his views about a subject.

I also think an artist can go to far in selecting what medium he works with. For example, there was a movie made here where they actually skinned a cat alive for a scene in the "artistic peformance". That just crosses the line from "artistic" to being unhumain.

 

[BMW POWER]

I agree the water companies need to repair and maintain the water services to a higher standard but there really is no need to just waste 100 million litres of water on a publicity stunt.
"I understand we are in a drought. But I am an artist so I'm not actually wasting water for nothing."
What a tosser!

 

[Niels]

Sorry but....

Thats THE IDIOT of brittain, seriously.

 

[Famine]

👍 Exactly what I was going to say..

The nearest river to me (R.Medway) has been higher than average lately from what i've heard.. yet Environmentalists still say we shouldn't drain water from it for the Reservoirs..

Ok, so lets put it this was, its saving a few fish OR providing enough water for ourselves.. Sorry, but i'll go with B. Oh and the point of wastage by the Companies themselves is one the more confusing parts.. I'll save water, when you start doing it.

Back to the point, I voted turn off the taps, blatently wasting water isn't cool, even if the protest may be for a half decent casue

I do like the conflicting messages environmentalists give (and understand I'm not picking on you at this point, merely commenting on a couple of the things you brought up).

Global Warming, they say. Mankind is choking the Earth, they say. The icecaps will melt, sea levels will rise and, particularly in your part of the UK, we'll see extensive flooding, they say.

And yet, while we're inundated with water, we can't go out and wash our cars with a hosepipe.

Either we're short of water and should save it, or we're drowning in it. Can't have it both ways.


The second point is "wasting water". How do you go about doing that, exactly? Whatever you do with it, unless you pour it into giant, hermetically-sealed water butts, involves it draining away, being returned to the rivers/seas (or water companies for refiltration) and from there to the clouds via evaporation, and then back down onto our heads (in rain form), into the reservoirs and back to the tap...


The third point is about privatised water companies. Water IS free. It falls out of the sky on a regular basis and you can scoop whatever you want out of rivers/lakes/streams/seas/stagnant ponds. Water out of the tap is NOT free - someone has had to develop the technology, method and chemicals to stop you getting cholera or Weil's Disease, someone has to keep the systems running, someone has had to pipe it into, and away from, your home and someone has to maintain it all. They have a right to charge for all of this. Now granted, water companies are pretty poor in the UK at the last part, but this can be solved by a little bit of active capitalism - shift your supplier to the cheapest supplier, or whomever you feel is doing most to combat leakage.


Whoa. That was a looong post about some nutjob turning on a tap...

 

[Apclps]

I don't care.

While most people think he's an idiot for doing this (including me..) he did get the media attention that he wanted for his cause.

Water isn't that scarce in Western Europe, atleast not during this time of year. I don't see him doing any long term damage.

 

[Danny]

What a silly billy.

If you want your point to be heard, pull a "Fathers4Justice".

 

[ferrari_chris]

... So Christo isn't an artist then? But wait! Look! From Dictionary.com if you must know, it says he is an experimental artist! But how can this be?! There is no skill in wrapping things in plastic. Imaginative/creative, yes. So how can that be defined as art but this not?

That crap barely registers as art on my radar...

 

[Danny]

On the subject of "art/not art" I've been given the artist Kasimir Malevich to study and analyse, whose work includes the timeless

 

[Blake]

The sad thing is, I think I could write a few pages on that.

Global Warming, they say. Mankind is choking the Earth, they say. The icecaps will melt, sea levels will rise and, particularly in your part of the UK, we'll see extensive flooding, they say.

And yet, while we're inundated with water, we can't go out and wash our cars with a hosepipe.

Either we're short of water and should save it, or we're drowning in it. Can't have it both ways.

Fresh water from the icecaps will melt into salty seawater, and become slightly-less-salty-sea-water.

Then Impreza04 and his townsfolk will be forced out of town because it’s being flooded with slightly-less-salty-sea-water—this really isn’t much use to anyone.