Tenant Spotlight: ICA Watershed
Nestled within East Boston's industrial maritime heritage, the ICA Watershed celebrates art, culture, and history with its seasonal exhibits from all over the world.
The Institute of Contemporary Art: Watershed is a 15,000 square foot industrial space that has been transformed into a cultural asset. This summer’s exhibit is Hew Locke: The Procession, and at its heart is the expressions of celebration, worship, protest, and more.
The watershed is a seasonal exhibition space in the shipyard, it’s counterpart, the Institute of Contemporary Art, is located in the Seaport overlooking Fan Pier Marina. Admission into the watershed is always free, and the ICA provides a ticketed water shuttle service between the seaport location and the watershed.
The space presents one exhibition every year and is open between late May and Labor Day. Previous installations include Guadalupe Maravilla: Mariposa Relámpago, Revival: Materials and Monumental Forms, and more. This year’s exhibition, The Procession, was first commissioned in the United Kingdom, and is making its North American debut this summer at the Watershed.
The piece features more than 100 life-sized sculptures of individuals of all ages and abilities in a procession. Their clothing and props are heavily inspired by the Caribbean and Carnival, and have a number of historical references. The elements were transported via the water from the UK to East Boston, and the figures are arranged to demonstrate how they emerged from the water and are making their way into Boston. When guests enter the exhibit, they are walking against the figures, but by the end, “are walking with them,” says ICA Communications Coordinator Theresa Romuladez.
Hew Locke: The Procession at the ICA Watershed
At the end of the building is a space with seating, books, and activities for patrons to enjoy. A craft pertaining to the current exhibition is available, and while it is always suitable for children, all ages are invited to participate.
This summer is the Watershed’s seventh season. Their team of curators work to commission the exhibitions, and staff inside the Watershed include visitor service assistants and education experts to answer any questions from guests about the art. Visitors to the Watershed come from all over, and most of the visitors arrive via the water shuttle.
The Watershed hosts an annual Block Party event every summer, as well as various smaller events related to the exhibit. The opening of each exhibit often involves an event with the artist, as well as a preview of the exhibit from the local East Boston Community before it officially opens.
To learn more about the ICA Watershed and their current exhibition, visit their website.