A river of concern
The Western world takes clean water for granted. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, the precious liquid flows with the twist of a tap, instantly ready for a drink or a shower. But those living in developing nations know differently. “Do we have water?” is often the question on people’s lips in New Delhi, said artist Atul Bhalla, who grew up in the Indian capital where access to clean water has been a problem for decades. Water in the rapidly expanding city remains scarce and available only twice a day, in the morning and at night. As a child in the city, Bhalla recalled how residents were only allowed water once a day. As a man, he was enthralled when he sampled his neighborhood’s first swimming pool. His personal experience has informed much of his art. His projects involve sculpture, photography, installations, and video that explore water in its historic and...