LOS ANGELES, Calif., Sept. 9, 2002 -- It's an unlikely media star. There are no children involved, no heroic pets or first-evers to claim.
Yet, this project by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California has been reviewed by an art critic in the Los Angeles Times, covered by numerous community news organizations, been the topic of talk shows and cable programs, the cover story for magazines and now the focus of a one-hour public television special.
Beginning Sunday, Sept. 15, Metropolitan's "Liquid Art" project will be featured in a one-hour segment of "Road Trip with Huell Howser." The "Liquid Art" segment will be broadcast on KCET (Los Angeles) at 7 p.m. The segment also will run on San Diego's KPBS on Sept. 19 at 8 p.m.; San Bernardino's KVCR on Sept. 21 at 8 p.m. and Sept. 26 at 11 p.m.; and Huntington Beach's KOCE on Sept. 24 at 8 p.m. and Sept. 29 at 3 p.m.
The program follows Howser as he travels to public artworks that were selected by a juried panel from a field of more than 120 nominations in a contest designed to recognize art that uses or depicts water.
"Liquid Art," Metropolitan's first-ever art-education program, called attention to the importance of water to life and lifestyle in Southern California through artwork that recognized both the aesthetic and practical value of water.
"For the first time, we let a new community -- the artistic community -- deliver a message about water," said Metropolitan Chairman Phillip J. Pace. "We found that the message was heard more clearly, and traveled more distance, than if we had used our conventional methods of outreach."
"Liquid Art" recognized 20 entries that were photographed by acclaimed architectural photographer Tom Bonner to become part of a traveling photography exhibit that has been touring Southland museums, galleries and community spaces since last November.
"I had a great time traveling to four different locations throughout Southern California," Howser said. "I not only met the artists and saw their work, but learned firsthand just how important water conservation is to our daily lives.
"I especially enjoyed my visit to the Water Conservation Garden in El Cajon, and came home with some good ideas to put into practice in my own yard and garden. I am excited about sharing this adventure with our viewers."
The exhibit continues to be shown around California. For a current listing of exhibit venues, go to Metropolitan's Web Site www.mwdh2o.com, and click on the "Liquid Art" tab.
The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is a cooperative of 26 cities and water agencies serving 17 million people in six counties. The District imports water from the Colorado River and Northern California to supplement local supplies, and helps its members to develop increased water conservation, recycling, storage, and other water-management programs.
Source: Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
