In this chapter, we explore the intersection of art, technology, and sustainability, focusing on the suspended sculpture Splash exhibited at the 2008 Zaragoza International Exposition. The sculpture, created by artist Pere Gifre, represents the concept of water as a vital element for life and ecological awareness. The narrative traces the journey of Splash from its conceptualization to its temporary display in the Water Tower, to its eventual dismantling and storage, raising questions about cultural sustainability. The article examines how the sculpture’s disassembly and subsequent obscurity challenge the notion of cultural sustainability, which is not only about resource management but also about preserving symbolic narratives. In this context, Splash becomes a metaphor for the discontinuity of sustainable cultural practices. While the reinstallation of the sculpture in 2014 was an attempt to restore its significance, its inaccessibility to the public symbolizes the broader challenge of activating cultural legacies in the face of political, economic, and institutional transitions. The chapter ultimately argues that cultural sustainability requires more than physical preservation; it demands continued engagement and narrative activation to maintain its relevance to future generations over time and in collective experience.

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Art Suspended over the Human Condition and Water

  • Francisco Javier Galán Pérez

摘要

In this chapter, we explore the intersection of art, technology, and sustainability, focusing on the suspended sculpture Splash exhibited at the 2008 Zaragoza International Exposition. The sculpture, created by artist Pere Gifre, represents the concept of water as a vital element for life and ecological awareness. The narrative traces the journey of Splash from its conceptualization to its temporary display in the Water Tower, to its eventual dismantling and storage, raising questions about cultural sustainability. The article examines how the sculpture’s disassembly and subsequent obscurity challenge the notion of cultural sustainability, which is not only about resource management but also about preserving symbolic narratives. In this context, Splash becomes a metaphor for the discontinuity of sustainable cultural practices. While the reinstallation of the sculpture in 2014 was an attempt to restore its significance, its inaccessibility to the public symbolizes the broader challenge of activating cultural legacies in the face of political, economic, and institutional transitions. The chapter ultimately argues that cultural sustainability requires more than physical preservation; it demands continued engagement and narrative activation to maintain its relevance to future generations over time and in collective experience.