Lee Lee
Acequias

Grounded in designing multi-faceted frameworks for creative acts of restoration; Lee Lee´s practice  consists of weaving together collaborations for projects that are left within the public sphere. Although tangible artworks are created during the process, the focus is more directed towards relationships within social and natural ecosystems. Working together across disciplines, she creates opportunities to broaden consideration of issues at hand in ways that maintain a high degree of authenticity to cultural landscapes.

The artist creates her own visual artworks as part of a meditative process, and often carry works between geographies to show ways in which we are tied. The time scale of these projects spans decades as she feel sthe only way to truly be effective is with long term commitments to a theme. The biggest successes in conservation she has witnessed and experienced relies on local leadership. It is essential to follow those who carry ancestral wisdom, who are tuned into cultural expression and who are able to activate their community.

ARTIST STATEMENT

The Acequias project is made up of creative acts and conversations that transcend disciplines to engage land workers, visual & culinary artists, storytellers & ecologists across Steppe ecologies to deepen understanding of how this ancient practice may help alleviate the pressures of a changing climate through the community centered practice of sharing water. A rare form of agriculture that benefits the ecology by broadening alluvial plains through arid lands, the essential resource of water is held in the commons and shared with humans and non-human community members alike.

The project has recently unfolded in collaboration with Thatcher Gray at Green Olive Arts in Tetouan, Morocco, with Daniela Jules Garza at AADK in Blanca, La Huerta of Spain, at Terra Madre in Torino and through fellowships with FORGE NY & Creature Conserve, wherein we are establishing the TAOS Distillery as a creative space to cultivate discourse around water issues in desert ecologies.