by Arielle Young

The aesthetically pleasing and commune-based Waterpod drifts on New York's waters and harbors, occasionally "dropping anchor" in ports to switch crews, organize events, and to draw a plank for artists to pop on-board with painting supplies. The pod teams with life, from organizers, volunteers and artists, to chickens and edible vegetation. Over a huge jungle gym structure, half a dozen volunteers pull a thick, vinyl tarp to provide umbrage and protection over the vessel. Daily activities aboard the Waterpod include growing greens, collecting rainwater, and maintaining the self-sustaining environment overall. The whole thing runs on solar power and it all feels a little Burning Man-esque to some.

Alison Ward, 37, is an artist and a resident of the Waterpod. She describes the whole experience to the New York Times:

“Frankly, I don’t think any of us, when we started, knew how much work it would be. Building it was hard, but I thought once we got it up and running, we would be able to, you know, make art. It has challenged everyone on all levels — levels of comfort, levels of intellect. There’s a never-ending list of things to do: It’s a ship. It’s a farm. It’s an art residence. It’s an installation.”

John McGarvey, 43, the Waterpod’s executive director and a veteran of the annual Nevada festival, would like to make it perfectly clear that "It's not a Burning Man Camp." That may be true, but the vessel is a magnet and a mecca for some similar free spirits, such as Dallas Pesola. Mr. Pesola gravitated towards the site to help pitch the tarp in a captain's hat and sarong, shirtless, wielding plastic swords from the ambiguous night before, answering the question of his age with the answer "ageless". He appeared to be sewn seamlessly into the fabric of the art scene itself aboard the Waterpod.

The mini universe, comprised of donations and recyclables, is a beautiful idea through and through. The pillars of this man-made ecosystem stand tall; it is a thesis of organisation, mass utility, art, freedom, and endurance. No Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, or SocialVibe... just life, art, music, and hens. I kind of like the sound of that.

Check out their high-quality photo slides on the New York Times website. To learn more about the revolutionary Waterpod, visit their official website, maybe buy a tote or two of theirs: http://www.thewaterpod.org/.

via NY Times