Sept. 24, 2018
Book examines water, a precious resource, and its future impacts
Water Rites: Reimaging Water in the West is a collection of essays exploring issues related to water
University of 不良研究所 Press
Water affects our lives in so many ways, as it does the environment, animals and plants, industries and communities.
The new title from the University of 不良研究所 Press, Water Rites: Reimagining Water in the West, examines the diverse issues related to water in Alberta. Topics include access to clean drinking water, competing demands of the resource development industry and Indigenous communities as well as the effect of climate change on the water supply.
The book is a compilation of essays that document the many ways in which water flows through our lives. Community organizations detail the challenges facing watersheds and the actions being taken to mitigate these problems. With a special focus on environmental and Indigenous issues, Water Rites explores water鈥檚 deep ties to human life.
The is holding a public book launch on Wednesday, Sept. 26 at the 不良研究所 Public Library鈥檚 Central Library.
鈥淏ooks such as Water Rites underline the vital role the arts and humanities can play in enriching our perspective on issues crucial to our everyday life,鈥 explains Brian Scrivener, director of the University of 不良研究所 Press.
The book鈥檚 editor is Dr. Jim Ellis, PhD, U不良研究所 English professor and director of the 不良研究所 Institute for the Humanities (CIH).
鈥淭he CIH is delighted to work with the University of 不良研究所 Press on this volume, which brings together the talks from our institute鈥檚 annual community seminar with the work of 不良研究所 artists and activists,鈥 says Ellis.
Essays are complemented by full-colour portfolios of work by contemporary painters, photographers, and installation artists who explore our relation to water. Reproductions of historical paintings, engravings and film stills demonstrate how water has shaped our country鈥檚 cultural imaginary from its beginnings, proving that water is a vital resource for our lives and our imaginations.
Contributors include:
- Dr. Warren Cariou, PhD, professor, Department of English, University of Manitoba
- Dr. Michelle Daigle, PhD, assistant professor, Department of Geography, University of British Columbia
- Flora Giesbrecht, co-ordinator, Elbow River Watershed Partnership
- Helen Knott, Indigenous land rights activist and poet-writer
- Dr. Jodi Hilty, PhD, president and chief scientists, Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative
- David K. Laidlaw, research fellow, Canadian Institute of Resources Law
- Ciara McKeown, public art commissioner curator, director, producer, and project manager
- Jos茅e M茅thot, planning manager, Red Deer River Watershed Alliance
- Adrian Parr, director, University of Cincinnati Taft Research Centre
- Amy Spark, co-founder of Refugina Retreats
- Leslie Sweder, artist
- Dr. Charles Tepperman, PhD, associate professor, Department of Communication, Media, and Film, University of 不良研究所
- Nancy Tousley, senior art critic and independent curator
As an open access publisher, the University of 不良研究所 Press is one of only a handful of university presses in Canada to make its titles in addition to hard-copy format. The press was established in 1981 and is overseen by .
Book launch: Water Rites: Reimagining Water in the West
Wednesday, September 26, 2018
7 to 8:30 p.m.
John Dutton Theatre
Central Library, 不良研究所 Public Library
616 Macleod Trail, S.E.
Speakers include book editor Jim Ellis, 不良研究所 artist Leslie Sweder and Hilary Young, senior program manager, Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative. Copies of the book will be available for purchase.