The Artifice of Water – Art project H3O2 Vol. 3 – Aquatectorium: Habitats of The Future

The intention of The Art project H3O2 Vol. 3 is to conclude a three-year annual tradition of exhibiting artworks which are created in the process of post-production inspired by students′ works and projects created at The University of Belgrade – Faculty of Architecture, which were explored through the processes of artistic experimental practice that interprets the structure and elusive form of water. The research focuses on the dimensions and principles of water application in the process of structuralization of the (open) spaces and spatial installations. The very important part of that process was artistic (independent) thinking constructed on spatial structures and rules by which the emanation of architectural, philosophical and artistic concepts can exist today in the space. We rethink the spaces of the galleries, but at the same time the space of Augmented and Virtual reality (AR & VR) in art and architecture. In the final exhibition of this three-year project we one more time intertwine, expand and explore architectural, but also wider scientific disciplines of critical-artistic operationalization in space, from the perspective of researchers and practitioners in the field of art and architecture refreshed by new ideas of students and special guests at the final exhibition. The resulting works demonstrate how the role of water can be understood and incorporated into contemporary design. Just as water transcends borders, the element of water bridges the divide between art and architecture, emphasizing the necessity of multidisciplinary approaches. This paper discusses the results achieved during the three-year art project and its accompanying workshops, focusing on the structuralization of space (architecture and art) through water and exploring trends that contribute to new aesthetics and functionalities: globalization, innovative design approaches, material applications and advanced technologies essential for creating works of art and spatial installations envisioning Aquatectorium and Habitats of The Future. Special attention in this year's conference paper is given to an overview and description of the creative process behind the most successful works from the final exhibition, held at The Silosi (the re-creative cultural center on the Danube River) in Belgrade, in September 2023. The Silo No. 3 served as a space where water found its expression through spatial installations, acting as a testing ground for presented concepts of Aquatectorium and envisioning future habitats by young authors. New spatial images of water, new dimensions of Aquate-tecture, new ambiences of Aquatectorium, prototypes, more precise models, sculptures and structures of water have been developed through the culmination of this architecturally artistic project.