WaterFire

WaterFire is a sculpture by Barnaby Evans presented on the rivers of downtown Providence, RI. It was first created by Evans in 1994 to celebrate the tenth anniversary of First Night Providence, and has since become an annual public art phenomenon.

The view of the City of Providence during WaterFire from Waterplace Park

WaterFire is a free public art installation, a performance work, an urban festival, a civic ritual, and a spiritual communal ceremony. WaterFire's symbolism and interpretation is both inclusive and expansive - reflecting the recognition that individuals must act together to strengthen and preserve their community.[1]

On WaterFire evenings, downtown Providence is transformed by eighty-six anchored burning braziers (each with approximately 33 pieces of wood) that float just above the surface of the rivers that flow through Waterplace Park (the Woonasquatucket river) and the middle of downtown Providence (the Moshassuck and Providence rivers). The public is invited to come and walk the riverfront and enjoy the beauty of the flickering firelight, the fragrant scent of aromatic wood smoke, the changing silhouettes of the volunteer firetenders, and the music from around the world. Average attendance is 40,000 a night,[2] ranging from 10,000 to 100,000. WaterFire is presented for free, with only ten percent of the funds needed to host WaterFire acquired through governmental means and the remainder coming from private and corporate donations. WaterFire is held May through November, with lightings typically on Saturday evenings once or twice a month.[3]

WaterFire Providence

WaterFire Providence is the independent 501(C)(3) non-profit arts organization responsible for presenting WaterFire.[4] WaterFire Providence consists of about 15 staff members and relies heavily upon volunteers for the production of WaterFire. On a given night, up to 160 volunteers make the entire event possible.

History

Evans created the first WaterFire, named First Fire on New Year's Eve 1994 as part of the tenth annual of First Night Providence. First Fire consisted of 11 braziers on steel tripods stretching from WaterPlace Basin to Steeple Street. In June 1996, Barnaby created Second Fire for the Convergence Art Festival and the International Sculpture Conference.[5]

Through the support of dedicated volunteers, WaterFire returned as a seasonal event. WaterFire gained regional attention and a coordinated effort to fund the project began. In 1997, WaterFire expanded to 42 braziers, and had an estimated attendance of 350,000 people over the entire season. Evans received The Renaissance Award for his effort to revitalize downtown Providence, and WaterFire became the symbol of the city's renaissance.

For the 1998 installation, WaterFire expanded to include 81 fires, with expansions up the Moshassuck River and into the basin at Waterplace Park. WaterFire now enjoys national and international renown.

Proliferation
  • In June 1998 Barnaby Evans installed WaterFire in Houston, Texas on the Buffalo Bayou.
  • In July 2005 Barnaby Evans designed a WaterFire installation in Columbus, Ohio, called WaterFire Columbus. http://www.waterfirecolumbus.com
  • In 2007, Barnaby Evans created a new installation in Kansas City, Missouri on Brush Creek near Country Club Plaza and the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art https://countryclubplaza.com/event/waterfire/.[6]
  • On September 24 and 25, 2011, Barnaby Evans installed WaterFire in Singapore. The flame from Singapore was sent electronically to Providence to light WaterFire there. The next day, the flame from Providence was sent electronically to Singapore to light WaterFire there.
  • On September 21 and 22, 2012, Barnaby Evans installed WaterFire in Rome on the Tiber River between Ponte Sisto and Ponte Giuseppe Mazzini on the Vatican side of the river near the old city.
  • In August 2013, Barnaby Evans designed a WaterFire installation in Sharon, Pennsylvania on the Shenango River, called WaterFire Sharon. http://www.waterfiresharonpa.org
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References
  1. http://waterfire.org/impressions-waterfire/synaesthesia
  2. "Three Rhode Islanders are Among Seven to be Honored by the Nation's Governors for Distinguished Service to States". State of Rhode Island. June 29, 2010.
  3. "WaterFire Providence". www.goprovidence.com. p. https://www.goprovidence.com/things-to-do/waterfire-providence/. Retrieved 17 June 2019.
  4. http://waterfire.org/plan-your-trip/frequently-asked-questions#city%20or%20state
  5. http://waterfire.org/about-waterfire/welcome
  6. http://www.visitkc.com/mediaroom/news_release_detail.aspx?NewsID=105

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