Water in Art
Water is an essential element of nature and a vital resource for all forms of life. It is a recurring component in painting, architecture, and literature, often serving as the inspiration for many great artists. Water has not escaped the artistic gaze, as the relationship between water and art is as old as humanity itself.
Turning our attention to some of the artistic representations where water takes center stage, we find that water has been and continues to be a pivotal element in human expression. It has been harnessed and utilized, channeled for enjoyment and contemplation, and revered as a sacred element. From ancient civilizations to modern times, water has been present in every human expression, including architecture.
Art has incorporated water in infinitely innovative ways throughout the centuries. From the first Egyptian dam to the hanging gardens of Babylon and from Indian baoris to the water city of Tenochtitlan, water has served aesthetic purposes while also giving rise to necessary systems that have shaped the culture and economy of each region. In cities, water plays a crucial role in community development, and architecture has pushed its boundaries to achieve maximum progress.
In fact, the visual impression is paramount in the decorative intention of Islamic art. Water is considered a divine gift, symbolizing purity and wisdom with profound spiritual value. Thus, a rich culture has developed around water, with significant aesthetic and landscape contributions. Water takes center stage in Islamic art and architecture, whether in public baths (hammams) or as the conceptual centerpiece in garden creations. It serves as a decorative element of great value in Islamic art.
Moreover, walking through a museum can often feel like strolling along a riverbank or observing light through water, as it is represented in paintings as a critical element of society. Water appears in scenes of everyday life, highlighting its decisive role in agriculture, trade, industry, energy, and communications. It is also the main subject of works depicting the relationship between humans and nature.
No painter captures the play of light on water quite like Joaquín Sorolla, exalting reality through water like Edvard Munch or reflecting both moment and movement in water like Claude Monet.
Without this resource, painting could not exist. Not only does water inspire the construction of this artistic genre, but most paintings also use water as their base. Techniques such as watercolor or acrylic and modern methods like graffiti sprays rely on water as their foundation, making them more sustainable.
Throughout history, water has been a recurring element in global literature. Whether as a source of life or a symbol of destruction, this vital resource has inspired most writers, reflecting its essential nature for our existence. From Greek mythology and classical literature to romantic poetry and contemporary narratives, water has had a direct relationship with literature. There is no better example than Homer’s “The Odyssey,” where the sea is portrayed as a risky place full of dangerous creatures, or Ernest Hemingway’s fiction “The Old Man and the Sea,” where water holds various meanings for the protagonist.
At Almar Water Solutions, we believe in the close relationship between water and art. In fact, safeguarding and protecting water is a priority for Community Jameel. With a dynamic conception of art as a fundamental element of life, they support various artists and creative communities through Art Jameel. An independent organization founded and supported by the philanthropy of the Jameel family, based in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, they work worldwide. In addition to their significant work in heritage, their programs encompass exhibitions, research projects, and public learning programs, among others. Several of their most prominent projects are related to water, such as the publication of the latest Arts Writing and Research award winner, Nadia Christidi, which analyzes different water crises and future planning scenarios that have emerged in response.
Furthermore, their business and philanthropic activities are committed to art’s power and positive effect on people. Through Jameel Arts & Health Lab, they coordinate and amplify scientific research on the effectiveness of art in improving health and well-being, as the role of art in disease prevention and health promotion is vital.
Water is an element that allows for the development of feelings and the discovery of emotions; it has the essence to move and generate diverse interpretations, serving as a clear stimulus for artists’ past, present, and future. Art also undoubtedly helps many people understand the issues surrounding this resource, its importance in our lives, and the value of its care.
Art stimulates consciousness more than statistics. Water is life, and life is art.