Footnote to a fountain, 2017

Basel 2017
Footnote to a fountain

Galerie Greta Meert

Installation
Plastic
Belgian artist Sophie Nys examines themes like history, politics and culture, often with a wry sense of humor. With minimal interference and reduced means, she transforms and repositions objects and images from everyday life. In doing so, the artist poses questions about cause and effect, transience and continuity; she creates space for reflection, resistance, and thought. Since the end of the 19th century when indoor plumbing began providing water to Basel’s residents, the purpose of the city’s public fountains has been, for the most part, decorative. Potable water nevertheless continues to flow infinitely from their nozzles. To emphasize their original purpose, in Footnote to a Fountain the artist places jerry cans at several fountains throughout the city, commemorating these urban springs as social hubs and paying tribute to the perpetual source of free potable water, accessible to all.