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Discover the importance of water throughout history and across cultures — as told through a whole world of art at NGV International

WATERTRAIL

NGV WATER TRAIL EducATIoNREsouRcE

2INTRoducTIoN

Melbourne Water and Bluescope Steel have supported the NGV Water Trail, which has been developed for visitors to discover the importance of water through art.

This education resource explores issues of sustainability and the relationship between water and art. The information and discussion points are suitable to use with middle years students (VELS levels 4–6) and for a range of learning areas across the curriculum.

The discussion points may be used before, after or during your visit to the NGV Water Trail at NGV International.

It is suggested that teachers select relevant sections of the resource to suit their own curriculum requirements and the needs of their students.

The artworks used throughout this resource and the NGV Water Trail are only a small selection of works in the NGV collection. A wider selection of works that relate to water and sustainability can be viewed at NGV International and NGV Australia or online through the NGV Collection link.

The NGV Water Tail brochure, comprising artworks, information, ‘did you know?’ facts and a children’s trail, is available for download from the NGV website, http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/watertrail.

For details on a range of NGV Water Trail School Programs, telephone (03) 8620 2340 (weekdays) or email education.schoolprograms@ngv.vic.gov.au.

Program Partners

coNTENTs

3 Spiritual significance of water6 Water at work9 Water and leisure12 Water and domestic life

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Water is significant in different ways to many cultures and religions. It is essential to life and has the power to create and to destroy. Civilisations across the ages have celebrated its gifts and have also been at its mercy. It is these qualities that ensure its important place in many cultures and faiths. The artworks in this section reflect the importance of water in both past and present spiritual and cultural traditions.

Water and sustainability

There is much discussion in our current society about water and our role in the sustainability of this precious resource. This group of key artworks can be used to draw out a range of questions for investigating water sustainability issues.

• While each river in the world is unique, they are all part of a larger system. Rivers provide drinking water to countless people, sustain agriculture, and support many plant and animal species. The conservat ion of these environments requires maintaining the quality and the quantity of water within the system.

What impact do human activities such as irrigation and transport have on the health of our river systems? What can we do, both as a community and individually, to ensure the health and sustainability of these vital systems?

The Earth has a limited amount of water. •Through the water cycle, also known as the hydrologic cycle, the water on, above and below the surface of the Earth continuously circulates. This means that the water we drink today may have once been part of the seas where dinosaurs swam during the Jurassic period.

Explore each stage of the water cycle through the life of a single raindrop. Have civilisations across the ages used water effectively and efficiently? What strategies are in place in our community to conserve this precious resource?

Drought can cause significant damage to •ecosystems, agriculture and economies. The Aztecs believed drought was caused by disgruntled gods. Today we understand droughts are a normal, recurring feature of the climate, though they may be exacerbated by human activities.

Discover the possible causes and consequences of drought. Do human activities play a role in contributing to the causes and continuation of a drought? Investigate the positives and negatives of drought mitigation strategies.

Edward sALLE Madar people c.1939– Mathew sALLE Madar people c.1969–Kabak Village, Tatau Island, Tabar Group, New Ireland Province, Papua New GuineaLa sisi, Malagan canoe 1999, earth pigments on wood, fibre, 190.0 x 330.0 x 111.8 cm Presented through the NGV Foundation by David Baker, Governor, 2004

1. sPIRITuAL sIGNIFIcANcE oF WATER

4Water and ArtWater has been used as a source of inspiration, as subject matter and as a material by artists across cultures from ancient civilisations to today. This group of key artworks can be used to draw out a range of questions that investigate artists’ use of a variety of materials and media. These works can also be used to explore the relationship that exists between water, the world and humanity.

Master carvers, like Edward and Mathew •Salle, from Tatau Island on New Ireland Province, Papua New Guinea, have used traditional methods to carve Malagan ceremonial objects from trees felled in the local forests. Artists throughout history have been carving decorative designs, objects and figures in local wood using a wide variety of techniques and tools.

Research the history of wood carving techniques, materials and tools, and discover changes in these techniques used over time. What new tools have been invented that greatly changed the process of carving for artists?

• Sculptures of gods, placed before altars in households or used to adorn shrines and temples, were an important aspect of Aztec religious expression. The gods could be recognised by symbols, distinctive attire and by the colours they were painted. Tlaloc is easily identified by his characteristic mask of intertwined serpents which surround his eyes, a moustache like upper lip and fangs of a beast of prey. Strongly carved from a rectangular block of stone, works such as this would have been carved without the use of iron tools.

Find out more about the distinctive features and colours used when depicting Tlaloc. Discover the changes in stone carving methods over time from ancient civilisations to contemporary times. How has the invention of new tools and technology changed the aesthetic qualities of figures and objects carved from stone?

‘Linga’ means ‘mark’ or ‘sign’ and •symbolises the worship of the Hindu god Shiva. A linga is a rounded, elliptical image or object that can be artificially created or can occur naturally. ‘Svayambhu’ means created of its own accord. This Svayambhu linga is a naturally formed river rock from the Narmada River in central India. It is a symbol of worship for some and an object of natural beauty for others. Many artists look for natural beauty as an inspiration or as the material in their own art.

What is Earth art? Explore the work of artists such as Richard Long and Andy Goldsworthy, who use nature for its aesthetic qualities and the expression of ideas.

INdIASvayambhu linga basalt(a-b) 84.1 x 47.7 x 39.8 cm (overall)Purchased, 2005

5Water and curriculumWater plays a vital role in the survival, progress, daily life and spiritual beliefs of all cultures and civilisations. This group of key artworks can be used to draw out a range of questions for investigations across many curriculum areas.

Civilisations across the globe have held •many differing beliefs about water and the water cycle. Many ancient and contemporary cultures have their own water god/goddess and these vary greatly in their power and purpose. Some gods are the protectors and keepers of the water, while others are very powerful and have the ability to control all the water on Earth.

Find out more about the god Tlaloc. Who was Chalchiuhtlicue from the time of the Aztecs? Compare the deities and symbols of water revered and feared across a range of cultures, for example, Naga the snake in India, mythical dragons in China, Hapy from Ancient Egypt, Tangora in Polynesia and Wandjina from the Kimberley region in Australia.

The term ‘Malagan’, from the Madar •language, refers collectively to a complex series of ceremonies and the visual art forms associated with them from parts of New Ireland province, Papua New Guinea. Most important stages of an individual’s life are marked with a Malagan rite, most notably those commemorating the dead. Water is at the heart of this ceremony, and is associated with a wide range of belief systems.

Investigate a number of rituals and ceremonies that utilise water, from around the world and in both ancient and modern civilisations. Why does water play a key role in these spiritual ceremonials and rituals?

AZTEc, central MexicoTlaloc, god of rain Post-Classic, AD 1300–1521stone46.4 x 13.4 x 12.9 cmPresented through The Art Foundation of Victoria by Friends of the Pre-Columbian Collection, Member, 1987

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Civilisations have always arisen around a robust water supply. Throughout history water has played a vital role in the progress and development of civilisations across the world. The lives and livelihoods of people across time and cultures are heavily dependent on this precious resource. The artworks in this section highlight our reliance on water for physical survival and cultural development.

Water and sustainabilityThere is much discussion in our current society about water and our role in the sustainability of this precious resource. This group of key artworks can be used to draw out a range of questions for investigating water sustainability issues.

The earliest clear evidence of the use of •water for powering mills dates back to the ancient Greco-Roman world (mid-late 2nd century). A different type of watermill was also known in China during the Han dynasty (202 BC–220 AD). By the early twentieth century, the windmill had become obsolete in developed countries due to the availability of cheap electrical energy. This technology has continued to develop and water can now be used as a renewable energy source to produce hydro-electricity.

Jacob van RuIsdAEL Dutch c.1628–1682The watermill c.1660oil on canvas63.3 x 68.7 cm Felton Bequest, 1922

2. WATER AT WoRK

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How does a watermill work? What is hydro-electricity and how is it produced? Investigate this renewable energy source and compare it to other forms of renewable energy such as solar power. Is hydro-electricity a sustainable energy source? The Three Gorges Dam in China could be used as an example for this investigation.

As humans we rely heavily on water •for many activities, from farming and transport to trade and power generation. From ancient times to today, water has been used in all stages of farming, including irrigation, processing and transport.

What are the problems currently facing farmers due to drought in Australia? Can current farming practices be changed to reduce their dependence on abundant water supplies? Are there alternatives?

Venice is known as the ‘city of water’ and •is world-famous for its canals. It is built on an archipelago of 118 islands formed by about 150 canals in a shallow lagoon. The islands on which the city is built are connected by some 400 bridges. In the old centre, the canals serve the function of roads, and every form of transport is on water or on foot. The future of Venice is uncertain as it is believed to be sinking and also faces the impact of rising water. This may be a result of climate change. Climate change may also cause storms across the planet to become more frequent and more severe.

There are many people who believe that climate change is not actually occurring. Investigate both side of the climate change debate. Look at the impact of climate change across the globe. What are some possible outcomes of the Earth’s changing climate? What impact will these changes have on cities like Venice and others built close to the water’s edge?

Water and ArtWater has been used as a source of inspiration, as subject matter and as a material by artists across cultures from ancient civilisations to today. This group of key artworks can be used to draw out a range of questions that investigate artists’ use of a variety of materials and media. These works can also be used to explore the relationship that exists between water, the world and humanity.

Ruisdael is regarded as the finest Dutch •landscape artist of the seventeenth century. He did not specialise in one particular landscape genre but painted a wide variety of subjects including seascapes and townscapes. Ruisdael often included man-made structures in his landscapes, symbolising the impact of humanity on nature. Many artists over the centuries have drawn on environmental issues as a subject for their a rtworks.

Discover artists from the past and present that use art to communicate their views about the impact of humanity on nature.

These three artworks span the 17th to •19th centuries and come from different parts of the world. The subject matter of water is treated in very different ways. Examining the painting style, materials and techniques of an artwork can give the viewer an abundance of information about the artist, their context and intention.

Explore the different painting techniques used by these artists. What similarities and differences can you see? What can you learn about the artists and their contexts by comparing these similarities and differences?

Canaletto was born in Venice, the son of a theatrical scene painter. He was well-known for his precisely depicted and evocative views of the city (vedute, means ‘views’ in Italian). These works were primarily produced for the burgeoning tourist market. Clarkson Stanfield, after serving eight years at sea as a merchant seaman, was employed as a scenery painter for London’s Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. His career was long and immensely successful. The creation of artworks can be a leisure activity and a professional pursuit.

What other professional fields are available for artists? This investigation may include architecture, design, fashion, multimedia, photography etc.

cANALETTo Italian 1697–1768, worked in England 1746–55Bacino di S. Marco: From the Piazetta c. 1750oil on canvas131.4 x 163.2 cmFelton Bequest, 1986

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Water and curriculumWater plays a vital role in the survival, progress, daily life and spiritual beliefs of all cultures and civilisations. This group of key artworks can be used to draw out a range of questions for investigations across many curriculum areas

Current scientific research indicates that the •first known boats date back to the Neolithic period (c. 9500-3500BC). These early vessels were designed simply to travel on or over water. Over time the design, building and function of boats changed dramatically. The industrial revolution in the late nineteenth century triggered an explosion in ship design, with new mechanical methods of propulsion and the ability to construct ships from metal. Today an abundance of boats and ships is used on our waters as commercial vessels, warships, leisure craft and fishing vessels.

Investigate the history of boats and ships. What cultures around the world have made major contributions to the development of ships and water vessels?

A shipwreck is a powerful scene and •has therefore been a popular subject for artists across the ages. A shipwreck refers to either a wrecked ship or to the event that caused the ship to be wrecked, sunken or beached. Whatever the cause, a wrecked ship is a physical trace of a dramatic event that has occurred. The United Nations estimates there are 3 million shipwrecks on the oceans’ floors.

Discover some spectacular shipwrecks that have occurred around the world. What are some of the world’s most infamous wrecks? What caused these events?

Nature can be incredibly powerful and •at times very unpredictable. When a natural hazard, such as an earthquake or tsunami, affects human activities, it is considered a natural disaster. Many of the natural disasters that affect humans today involve water, such as floods, droughts, blizzards and tsunamis.

Investigate a range of recent and historical natural disasters that have occurred throughout the world. Can strategies be implemented to avoid such events? Without human involvement, are these occurrences natural disasters or natural events?

clarkson sTANFIELd English 1793–1867Mount St Michael, Cornwall 1830oil on canvas153.2 x 244.0 cmGift of J. R. Hartley, 1931

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While water has many spiritual, symbolic and practical uses, water is also a source of many leisure pursuits and interests. Australia is a large island continent surrounded by beautiful beaches and majestic coastlines, which are enjoyed for holidays, leisure and exercise. It is therefore important that as a nation we protect our waterways and coastlines as sustainable environments and ensure that they are not polluted. The following artworks explore some of the many social activities that centre on water.

Water and sustainabilityThere is much discussion in our current society about water and our role in the sustainability of this precious resource. This group of key artworks can be used to draw out a range of questions for investigating water sustainability issues.

Stormwater and treated effluent are •pumped into Port Phillip Bay daily. Government authorities such as the EPA (Environmental Protection Authority) are constantly testing the quality of water in the bay to ensure that it is healthy. The coastline of our bay is a popular holiday destination.

Does treated effluent affect the quality of water in our bay? Research the impact of pollutants on marine life in Port Phillip Bay. This investigation may lead to a broader study of Australia’s coastline and reefs, especially the Great Barrier Reef and the slow death of coral and other marine life.

In 2007, the Victorian Government •approved the dredging of Port Phillip Bay in order to help boost the economy.

What does dredging involve? What are the positive and negative impacts on the environment?

Regional areas of Australia such as Swan •Hill and Echuca once relied on rivers for transport and commercial business. Historically these regional centres were established as important ports for commerce. Today these waterways provide precious water to farming communities that supply food for our cities.

What are the effects of urban environments on our waterways? What would happen if the rivers died?

Desalination plants have been identified •as a possible solution to providing fresh water for human use. It could seem logical to utilise the immense resource of seawater to provide precious drinking water, especially during long periods of drought.

What is desalination? What are the issues surrounding desalination and desalination plants?

claude MoNET French 1840–1926 Vètheuil 1879oil on canvas60.0 x 81.0 cmFelton Bequest, 1937

3. WATER ANd LEIsuRE

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Water and ArtWater has been used as a source of inspiration, as subject matter and as a material by artists across cultures from ancient civilisations to today. This group of key artworks can be used to draw out a range of questions that investigate artists’ use of a variety of materials and media. These works can also be used to explore the relationship that exists between water, the world and humanity.

The movement and transparent quality •of water has always interested artists. French Impressionist artists of the late 19th century were very interested in the transient and changing effects of light and colour. One of the best known exponents of this movement, Claude Monet spent many hours contemplating the way that water both absorbed and reflected light.

What sort of techniques did Monet use to capture the effect of light in Vétheuil? How did the invention of the camera in the nineteenth century affect painting?

The materials available to artists have •always influenced the ways in which artists have worked. For example, paint tubes are a relatively recent product, and this innovation has changed the way many artists approach painting and their art practice.

Why and how would the invention of paint tubes influence the way that artists work? Visually demonstrate the different materials used by artists from the Renaissance to the nineteenth century.

Horses bathing in the sea • , The Garden of Love and Vétheuil were made in different places and times. Looking at the similarities and differences in artworks can help us understand what the artist is trying to communicate.

Explore the different painting techniques used within these artworks. Describe the different ways in which water has been depicted. What can be learnt from these similarities and differences?

Water is used increasingly as an •architectural feature by architects. Designed by Roy Grounds in 1968, the Waterwall is a strong design feature of the NGV International building, where water transforms the space in a number of ways. It acts as a physical barrier to the hustle and bustle of the city by diluting sounds. It transforms space by playing with transparent surfaces as walls. It incorporates a strong tactile component that people interact with. It brings together Melbourne geography and links this with the Gallery. It is also simply beautiful to look at!

Explore how water can be used in different ways as a material for art making. Investigate the link between the Yarra River and the Waterwall.

Mario Bellini’s refurbishment of Sir Roy Grounds’ original 1968 NGV building was completed in 2003. Controversy over the possible removal of the Waterwall surprised Mario Bellini. He came to respect Melbournians’ attachment to the wall and kept it as an essential feature. The Waterwall has become a symbol, as well as a physical reminder of this important meeting place flanked by the Yarra River.

What is the significance of the Yarra River to Indigenous peoples and European settlement?

Lucy KEMP-WELcH English 1869–1958Horses bathing in the sea 1900oil on canvas152.9 x 306.5 cmPurchased, 1900

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Water and curriculumWater plays a vital role in the survival, progress, daily life and spiritual beliefs of all cultures and civilisations. This group of key artworks can be used to draw out a range of questions for investigations across many curriculum areas.

The Garden of Love • painted in the 15th century opens a window into the lives of Italian patrician families. Amidst the formal beauty of a blossoming garden and elaborate fountain, couples sojourn in the tranquil seclusion of each others’ company. The female figure on the left of the fountain seems to be drawing water into a syringe like object. The significance of this act is still unknown, but the fact that she is drawing water raises many possibilities. Some have suggested love potions and the fountain of youth. In essence, water is often associated with purity and freshness. It is a foundational ingredient of many cosmetics that proclaim to rejuvenate and reverse the aging process.

What are some of the health benefits of water?Research the different chemicals and ingredients found in cosmetics. What are the main active ingredients consistently used. Visually demonstrate the proportion of water to the rest of these ingredients.

MAsTER oF THE sToRIEs oF HELENItalian active mid 15th century Antonio VIVARINI (studio of)Italian c.1415–c.1476/84The Garden of Love c.1465–70oil, tempera and gold on wood panel152.5 x 239.0 cmFelton Bequest, 1948

12Cups, jugs and bowls have always been part of everyday life in all cultures. Storage of oils, spices, food and especially precious water has inspired artisans to design beautiful objects as well as practical domestic receptacles. Water is the basis of cooking, cleaning and the maintenance of households. We can learn a lot about how people lived from the domestic objects that they made and used for everyday living. The following artworks can be used to begin exploring how everyday objects affect the way that water is used and consumed.

Water and sustainabilityThere is much discussion in our current society about water and our role in the sustainability of this precious resource. This group of key artworks can be used to draw out a range of questions for investigating water sustainability issues.

Running water in homes is a relatively •recent innovation. The ability to turn the tap in our kitchens and bathrooms and have instant hot or cold water that is clean and potable can be taken for granted. There are many developing countries around the globe where this is still not possible.

Discover how we get clean fresh drinking water to the taps in our homes. Investigate the many issues that developing nations face in accessing clean drinking water. In what ways does the lack of clean water affect these communities?

The following statistics may help us •really understand the importance of water conservation. Pictures of the Earth from space clearly show that two thirds of the Earth is covered by water. However only 2.5% of this water is fresh water, and 90% of that fresh water is frozen. This leaves only 0.25% of all of the Earth’s water available for consumption. This makes water conservation essential.

Research different ways to conserve water in the home. What are other advantages for the environment from installing water tanks? How do our everyday actions and life style affect the water cycle? What is ‘embodied water’?

GREEcE or ITALY, chalkidian The Inscriptions Painter (attributed to) Psykter amphora (Chalkidian black-figure ware)Archaic Period, 540 BCfired clay60.2 x 37.1 x 34.9 cmFelton Bequest, 1956

4. WATER ANd doMEsTIc LIFE

13Today, in Australia, all our drinking water is treated so that impurities and diseases are removed. Some States in Australia also have water treated with fluoride, which helps keep our teeth healthy.

Research the water treatment process. Find ways to visually demonstrate the different chemicals and properties in our water.

Traditionally water containers have been •made from ceramic and recently glass. Changing technology has affected the materials that we use and how we use them. Today most storage containers are made from plastic. This is a cheap material to produce and it pervades nearly every aspect of our daily lives.

There are many different kinds of plastic manufactured. What are most plastics made from? What are some of the environmental impacts of plastic manufacture and use?

Water and ArtWater has been used as a source of inspiration, as subject matter and as a material by artists across cultures from ancient civilisations to today. This group of key artworks can be used to draw out a range of questions that investigate artists’ use of a variety of materials and media. These works can also be used to explore the relationship that exists between water, the world and humanity.

Both the • Basin and the Psykter amphora are made from ceramic: Basin from porcelain and the Psykter amphora from earthenware clay. Basically both have been made from a clay substance that has been fired at high temperatures. Porcelain is fired at higher temperatures to Earthenware. The different colours on the ceramic of the Basin are glazes. This is a complicated process that allows oxides and minerals to react with the clay while in the kiln to create different colours. This process makes the ceramic completely waterproof. The Chinese were the first to discover and use porcelain.

What are the main differences between the two clay products? Describe the processes needed to create the different objects. Investigate the origins of the word ‘porcelain’.

The symbols and images used on •domestic ware often tell us a lot about the culture and time of that object. In Chinese culture, the dragon is an auspicious symbol that often represents the emperor himself. The dragon is a benevolent creature and, much like a powerful ruler, it can bestow compassion or punishment. Among the types of dragons in Chinese art, dragons with five claws symbolise the emperor. The blue dragon, as seen in the Basin, is a symbol of spring, rain, regeneration and growth. The cloud shapes surrounding the dragon emphasise this, as dragons reside between heaven and Earth. The phoenix also depicted within the basin represents the empress. Having both the emperor and the empress together on the rim of the basin symbolises marital harmony and the yin and yang. The Basin is also designed in eight quadrants. In Chinese culture, eight is a very lucky number and is used to mark the sacred and auspicious

These images are not coincidental. Investigate why such images would be used for a container used for holding water.

The • Pyskter amphora depicts images of the Trojan War with Ancient Greek heroes from Homer’s famous poem, The Iliad. We can see Achilles jumping from his chariot to spear Eurymachos who is lying on the ground dead. On the reverse side of the amphora, one of the figures is Odysseus, known for his intelligence and strength, with his foot on a dead soldier whom he has defeated. Stories often feature on Ancient Greek vases, some of them full of heroic deeds and action. Ancient Greek artisans were able to capture movement, energy and the fury of battle with clarity. All the figures are stylised and clearly delineated with line. This amphora is an example of black-figure ware.

What are the main differences between black-figure and red-figure ware? Do the two techniques change the way in which details and lines are created? What visual devices are used to tell a story on such a small round surface?

The • Pyskter amphora is thought to have held wine cooled by an inner skin filled with ice or cold water. This internal container was held by the two holes found on the base of both handles of the amphora, but it was lost when the amphora was reconstructed. In essence this was the first type of wine cooler.

What does ‘amphora’ mean? What material could the inner container have been made from?

Much of what we know today about •Ancient Greek culture is due to the survival of Greek vases, which show us details about customs, fashion and beliefs. These receptacles are called vases, but they were designed to store food and liquid for household use, not to display flowers. The contents or function of the vessel determined the shape.

Investigate the different shapes commonly used for Greek vases and what they contained. Why is the shape of the Pyskter amphora suitable for liquids? Investigate the shape of liquid containers today. Are there any similarities?

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Water and curriculumWater plays a vital role in the survival, progress, daily life and spiritual beliefs of all cultures and civilisations. This group of key artworks can be used to draw out a range of questions for investigations across many curriculum areas.

Water tanks are becoming increasingly •popular for many households. They collect rain water that would otherwise drain away in our stormwater system. This water is then often used in gardens. There is a way of calculating the amount of water that can be potentially collected from roof catchments.

Estimate what your home would be able to c ollect by using the following formula.Every m2 of roof can potentially collect 1 litre of water. Therefore m2 x total roof area (L x W – regardless of any pitch in the roof) x annual rain fall = catchment per year.

In different cultures, both past and •present, receptacles for storing and gathering water were important household objects.

If you did not have access to running water in your home, what would you have to do to collect and store water for your daily needs? Research different ways for storing and collecting water in the past.

On the outside of the • Basin, lotus have been depicted. The lotus in Chinese culture is a sign of purity and is used extensively in Buddhist imagery. The lotus grows from the mud to become a beautiful flower. For Buddhists this is the perfect visual representation of the human spirit rising up from suffering in order to achieve enlightenment.

Investigate Buddhist symbology and beliefs that include water as a sacred symbol.

cHINAJingdezhen, Jiangxi province, South-east ChinaBasinMing dynasty, Wanli period, 1573–1620porcelain, enamel (Wucai ware)11.0 x 36.3 cm diameterFelton Bequest, 1946