The series Pipe Dreams explores the complex engineered systems that control water. Because these human-made infrastructures are inextricably interwoven with natural ecosystems in the landscape, how might these systems fail or succeed together? As the extremes of the climate crisis exert unforeseen pressures on these systems, hybrid solutions are coming to the forefront, combining technology, engineering, and natural systems including reefs, wetlands, and the reintroduction of beavers in the landscape, to name a few.

As part of their research for this project, Hughen/Starkweather interview people from a wide variety of backgrounds including hydrologists, farmers, fishermen, engineers, lawyers, historians, glaciologists, and other community members and stakeholders. They look at data trajectories, maps, and other materials. The resulting artworks are abstract, layering recognizable forms that reference failing dams and shrinking reservoirs; drought, flood, fire, smoke, and fog; water as the new gold rush; drilling into ancient aquifers; and slow solutions including water dousing and the reintroduction of native ecosystems including beaver dams.

By allowing the artworks to resonate with the collected data without presenting it in a didactic way, Hughen/Starkweather do not attempt to offer solutions or concrete information, but hope to prompt curiosity, uncertainty, and new perspectives.

The term Pipe Dreams references illusory hopes and magical thinking. The work in this series layers unexpected connections, and reflects the ambiguities and complexities of the climate crisis.