As a visiting artist at MIT, B. Stephen Carpenter provided new perspectives on issues of access, privilege, and the global water crisis through a series of seminars, performances and public workshops.

Carpenter aims to circumvent economic hurdles that prevent access to clean drinking water by creating ceramic water filters. Using low-cost and readily available materials in conjunction with a 50-pound, portable press, Carpenter is able to produce water filters that make unsafe water potable. “There is power in simplicity,” Carpenter observes. “These filters cost around $25 and can last up to five years.”

In fall 2017, Carpenter guided participants in a workshop on campus through the process of constructing his ceramic water filters. Combining text, photos taken during the workshop, and an animated illustration, this gif file documents the project.