Geographically situated in the Don Valley, the Evergreen Brick Works site is anticipated to experience flooding at least once every two years. Flooding occurs when the storm surge resulting from heavy rains over a brief period causes the Don River to breach its’ bank.
To mitigate the quickly rising water in times of storms, the Brick Works utilizes a series of cisterns to catch and store the rainwater falling on the rooves of various buildings across the site. In addition to the mitigation of water, the cisterns also reduce water consumption when stored water is used for watering plants, flushing toilets or washing dishes.
Flood Lines, creates a spatial dialog between three cisterns and the roof which they collect water from to address the increasing frequency of heavy rainfall events in our contemporary climate. Artists Paul Aloisi and Dan Bergeron have graphically interpreted hourly rainfall data in comparison with Don River storm surge data to render three circular paintings oriented towards a central viewpoint directly beneath the peak of the roof. From this point, marked by a fourth circle on the ground, it is possible to view each of the three circular compositions in their entirely and consider their relationship to this specific site.
Client: Evergreen Brickworks with support from StreetARToronto.
Materials: spray paint on plastic cistern
