Water Towers of Ireland is a research project undertaken by photograph Jamie Young and ongoing since June 2010. The project began with an urge to draw people closer to these objects that seem to permanently sit on the horizon, and it quickly grew into an obsession. Part inventory, part photographic essay and part history, the work now includes maps, anecdotes, drawings, polaroids, large prints and a number of exhibitions. Contacted by AA’s editorial board, Jamie Young tells how water towers are a signpost in our landscapes. 

“…yeah, I’ll see you at the water tower around eight!”

When I was young, the local water tower offered a special fascination for me. It was where the older kids used to meet to drink, smoke and party. While I never witnessed or took part in these events, I could hear parents speak angrily about them and can still see the graffiti left behind. The structure took on a special significance, becoming something forbidden.

Water towers by their function will naturally become a landmark wherever they are built. The majority are built near residential areas and will be situated on the highest piece of ground, making them often visible from miles outside of town. Despite this, I am amazed at how many people I have spoken to who had passed a tower regularly without really noticing it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

“…and turn left at the water tower…”

While researching and cataloguing the towers, I found that they could indicate a timeline in the history of the country; from the oldest water towers of railway stations, through the progression of concrete construction and on to the need for larger reservoirs in recent times, when communities have simply outgrown their elevated supply. While these angles all helped to form a long inventory and map nearly two hundred towers, the most interesting route to discovery was through property websites. In this instance, the vital role of the water tower is stripped away and it now stands only as a signpost.

Exploring water towers through photography and stepping away from the hard documentary style of the Bechers’ series, my images look to give an emotive value to these erratics of our everyday landscape. Each photograph conveys their personality and acts as a portrait, while accounting for a lack of uniformity in scale, surroundings and weather conditions. What I found through exhibiting this work, is that once these images are placed in front of an audience they themselves start to notice and value the water towers they encounter. This is shown by the level of interaction with the project I have had over the years. As well as contact from photographers doing similar work in other parts of the world, people often send photos of water towers from their travels.

 

For more informations about Water Towers of Ireland, visit : 

www.watertowersofireland.com // @watertowersire // info@watertowersofireland.com