Holding Water
Holding Water
Cast glass, steel, concrete, fiber, field stones
Cupped hands, in gradient shades of blue glass, cascade in a formation that suggests flowing water into this oversized vessel. Evelyn Rydz cast the hands of local environmental caretakers and those who have a special connection to water, including Flint’s Pond, the body of water in view at deCordova. Flint’s Pond is a protected reservoir and provides drinking water to residents of Lincoln. Drawn to the diverse ways that people protect, pollute, and access water, Rydz named this sculpture Holding Water. The phrase alludes to a kind of “truth telling”—in this case about how water is sacred and necessary to all life, and yet clean water is not a given for so many. The glass hands are positioned in relationship to each other to suggest a passing of responsibility and knowledge across generations and among communities. The varying shades of blue of the glass and vessel are inspired by Rydz’s many photographs of the nearby water, which is constantly changing due to climate shifts, light, and time of year.
Nature Sanctuary
deCordova Sculpture Parka and Museum
Curated by Sarah Montross
June 2025 - October 2026
Photo Credit: by Rafael Medina