Zille Purification Unit

Studio Orta - 1357.3
Studio Orta - 1357.3
Studio Orta - 1357.3
Studio Orta - 1357.3
Studio Orta - 1357.3
Studio Orta - 1357.3
Studio Orta - 1357.3
Studio Orta - 1357.3

Date: 2020
Ref: 1358
Materials: Zille boat, water purification system, steel, 7 bivouacs, 10 glass carafes, 2 water drums, jerrycans, diverse objects, 2 canteens
Dimensions: 700 x 180 x 350h cm
Exhibition history: 2022 Lille3000, Gare Saint Sauveur, Lille, France; 2020 Les Tanneries centre for contemporary art, Amilly, France
Courtesy: Lucy + Jorge Orta. Photography Aurélien Mole (Les Tanneries) / A. Melan (Lille3000)

Zille Purification Unit represents the link between man and his environment both natural and symbolic. The work forms part of the meta series OrtaWater referring to the research on water cycles carried out by Lucy + Jorge Orta. The Zille river-boat, equipped with a water purification machine, is a “machine-architecture” and recalls the essential aspect of water in industrial activities and underlines its major role in the processes of population displacement. Lucy + Jorge Orta highlight the issues and challenges linked to the scarcity of drinking water while outlining the potential premises for a concrete solution.

This installation is one of three –matrix sets– that was immagined for the artists solo exhibition in the Great Hall of Les Tanneries centre for contemporary art, and installed above the tanning vats of the original tannery in Amilly, France.