ABSTRACT
Waterworks Gardens is both a work of art and a functioning system for cleaning storm water runoff. Artist Lorna Jordan created a unique blend of art and landscape. Waterworks was designed by an artist. Selected by the Metro Arts Commit-tee, Jordan was assigned the task of doing something with what had been planned to be a series of open, detention ponds to catch and clean the storm water produced by the sprawling plant. Waterworks Gardens is a completely unexpected and thoroughly engaging blend of technology and artistry. Jordan might have played a more typical artist's role of placing objects about the landscape but leaving the essential layout and organization to the engineers. Jordan's design arranges the various bodies of water in a composition that roughly resembles a plant pulled from the ground and laid on its side. The design process was completely collaborative.
