Water Tower StoriesIn order to remember, something has to be forgottenInstallation, mixed media, Kalmar Konstmuseum, Kalmar/Sweden, 2013.
The new water tower in Berga is a striking structure in the landscape of Kalmar, since it is the highest building in the city. It was built in the 70s to provide daily water to the growing city. Constructed together with the Ölandbro, the longest bridge in Europe by that time, they were representing the technical advancement of a modern society. Furthermore, an initial concern of the community was to establish the water tower as a social place to experience and to interact. Therefore, they built a canteen with a 360 degree viewing platform at the top. Unfortunately, due to economical and safety reasons the restaurant closed and for 30 years there has been no access for the general public anymore.As a landmark the water tower defines the area of Berga, where it is located 19m above sea level. Approximately 6.000 people live around it, in different housing types: There are single family houses, residential units and five-to-seven-storey housing estates, built between 1950-80th, with a generally suburban infrastructure and the tower always emerges in the background as the dominant architectural set-piece.Water Tower Stories is approaching the water tower as a building that effects environment, defines a place, creates stories, as well as a collective memory. Since a building is not an isolated object, but rather is related to one another and a whole city, the work explores the impact of the water tower in that area. The installation contains 4 pieces, which are connected trough a branded setting, where the water tower is transformed into a trademark. Each piece, in a different way, depicts the building as a place, full of nostalgia and memories, while evoking unity and belonging.
01 Interviewsvideo, hd, 20min, stereo, colour. Filming/Editing: Paran Pour; Interviewer: Johanna Stintzing; Translation: Erica Skiöldebrand02 Models3 models of the water tower, cardboard, cley, wood made at the Pre-school "Trollet", located next to the water tower.03 Photographies12 c-prints, 20x30cm, by Paran Pour04 MerchandiseLogo, buttons, postcards