Subscribe to our newsletter by emailWinter Exhibit Opening: Water in California: Issues, Impacts and Innovation
This exhibit demonstrates how California water history influences policy, as well as the research that our faculty and students engage in as they contribute to policy and science innovation. Water is a serious and valued commodity and the interdisciplinary nature of it is reflected in all of our schools at UCI. The work that Water UCI is currently engaged in demonstrates how many "bridges" there are that connect the scientists and scholars engaged in this work at the local, state, federal and international levels.
Curated by Julia Gelfand, Applied Sciences and Engineering Librarian and Dr. Shannon Roback, Assistant Director of Water UCI, the exhibit is divided into four basic sections:
- Landmark decisions involving water in California's history
- Innovations in water technologies
- Public health issues covering the Right to Water
- Coastal issues and effects of climate change on water science
The UCI Libraries' collections highlight current research and instruction interests by a very talented faculty, and the concepts of innovation and impact are illustrated by their creative contributions and outputs. Library holdings are in many formats and mediums and the books, journals, maps, atlases, data and other resources reflect local focus as well as the challenges water has globally.
As part of the opening of the exhibit, two faculty speakers, Dr. David L. Feldman, Professor of Urban Planning and Public Policy and Director of Water UCI, and Dr. Stan Grant, Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering addressed the background of water policy and water science. The creative side of water, which is visible in all areas of the arts, literature and performance, music, cinema and sport, is equally important and valued. Under the direction of Professor Lisa Naugle, Chair of the Dance Department, a reflection on the creative expression of water was choreographed performed by UCI Dance students at the opening. Their interpretations were personal and colorful, demonstrating how critical performance art is to basic understandings of the human mind and spirit.
In alignment with the UCI Libraries' strategic goal of community outreach and engagement, the exhibit included artwork by students enrolled at Irvine's Lakeside Middle School. Under the direction of their art teacher, Christy O'Dwyer, these 7th and 8th graders created watercolors incorporating special memories of engaging with water. We also want to acknowledge the contributions of the Orange County Water District for informative videos that will play during the exhibit's run and the cooperation of our teachers and partners in the Irvine Unified School District.
For more information on the exhibit please contact Julia Gelfand, Applied Sciences and Engineering Librarian at jgelfand@uci.edu.