The philosophy behind this project was a natural development from Ogilvie’s previous water installation in the Netherlands, pivoting round a spectacular, uncompromising water installation. Access to the space was by a conventional door, giving no clue of what lay beyond. The public entered the space by way of a catwalk, into a world of amazing reflections and the illusion of tremendous depth. The decks rested flush with the water surface, simple viewing benches offered the public a place for contemplation. Each of the four shallow tracts of water embodied a particular idea related to the water cycle, and, above all, they possessed the power to tranquilise. The installation also acted as a metaphor for the course of human life and a clue to the work’s deeper significance.
“In this, as in most of my work, I used water itself as the main component, creating a whole new world of possibilities for my ideas. This irrational, mysteriously living matter has led me deeper and deeper into research and direct observation.”
