“Watertower” is one of Tom Fruin’s signature series, this latest installation in Beppu marking its tenth. As the title implies, the series is modeled after rooftop structures used to distribute water; here in Beppu, its form can also be envisioned as tanks for hot spring water.
The sculpture’s colorful exterior, resembling stained-glass windows, is crafted from recycled acrylic sourced from across Oita Prefecture. This includes clear panels that had been used for COVID-19 infection control as well as distinctive signage from local businesses. These materials once destined for waste disposal have been transformed into this stunning artwork, which vibrantly lights the way to a sustainable and prosperous future for the city.
Tom Fruin is a contemporary American sculptor. He was born in Los Angeles and currently lives and works in Brooklyn, New York City. He graduated from University of California, Santa Barbara with a BA in 1996.
Known for his large-scale installations, Fruin most commonly uses steel and highly colored plexiglass to create monumental sculptures referencing local building structures. He describes his drive to make art that is publicly accessible, as well as sustainable by working with reclaimed materials and alternative energy. Fruin's largest installation to date, the Watertower series, is installed on multiple rooftops across New York City and around the country.
Other large-scale work has been exhibited in public plazas in Prague, Vienna, Copenhagen, South Korea, and throughout the United States.
Dear Beppu City! Your city celebrates that one essential element we all enjoy: Water! This sculpture symbolically elevates the sustaining lifeblood of humanity up on a pedestal for all to appreciate and revere. Humanity must be careful with Mother Nature's gift, so we have created this artwork from salvaged waste material to honor and protect the environment and find the beauty in our surroundings. We all know the water in Beppu is special: it is not the ordinary material we all need to survive. Your hot spring comes from the depths of the world to ease our souls and rejuvenate our bodies - truly a special substance which we hold in the highest regard and, as a result, your city has become a world-wide destination for like-minded seekers of health and vitality!
We place the sculpture in the public realm along the waterfront in solidarity with nature while accentuating our interconnectedness with the landscape. Sunlight activates the tower into a kaleidoscope of color projecting patterns onto the walking paths. By night, its internal lighting system creates a miasmic beacon exploding with life.
Tom Fruin
**Program in participation with “Beppu Art Month 2023”
**Beppu City Administration 100th Anniversary Commemorative Project
（2023年9月22日時点）
*All published information is subject to change without notice.
