Gay Hawkins to Speak at H2O Water Bar Event

As part of the H2O Water Bar installation created by artist Janet Laurence and hosted by the City of Sydney, Professor Gay Hawkins will join an expert panel speaking on The Future of Water.

The H2O Water Bar is a reflective, glassy glistening installation that allows people to sample a variety of water sourced from diverse regions of Australia. Outfitted like an apothecary or laboratory, the bar is set amongst the heritage industrial space of the Paddington Reservoir Gardens' inner chamber, opened to the public especially for this installation.

Australia's identity is forever tied to our relationship with water, from the waterholes used as weapons during the colonial era, to the long droughts that affect our regional communities, and the environmental threats to the future of Australia's ground water. By inviting the public to experience the qualities of different Australian waters, H2O: Water Bar will help us to better understand the complexity and fragility of this vital resource.

Accompanying talks, discussions and performances run from 13-28 February with the aim of teaching audiences more about water. The Future of Water event on 25 February focuses specifically on topics such as the effects of climate change and the future of water systems. The discussion will be followed by a film screening: Planet Water directed by Louise Meek and produced by Keith Bashford.

The Future of Water

Date: Thursday 25 February
Time: 6-8pm
Venue: Paddington Reservoir Gardens, 251-255 Oxford Street, Paddington
Full details are available on the City of Sydney website.

Gay Hawkins is author of Plastic Water: The Social and Material Life of Bottled Water (opens in a new window)with Emily Potter and Kane Race.

Flyer showing clear laboratory-type bottles of different shapes with water in them against a white brick background and light streaming in through a window. Words: H2O Water Bar Janet Laurence. 13-28 Feb. 6-9pm Thurs, Sat & Sun. Paddington Reservoir Gardens. City of Sydney. artandabout.com.au

Posted: 4 February 2016.

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