Coin-Operated Wetland (2012)
Wetland plants, commercial washers, pump, water tanks, washing line, seating, signage, sand, gravel.
Coin-Operated Wetland collapses the distance between human and environment, confusing concepts of upstream and downstream. By directly connecting human action with environmental health, the work poses questions around ecology, co-existence, and the culture of engineering.
Yes, it could be beautiful — but will it be? Bring your dirties to find out.
Coin-Operated Wetland collapses the distance between human and environment, confusing concepts of upstream and downstream. By directly connecting human action with environmental health, the work poses questions around ecology, co-existence, and the culture of engineering.
Yes, it could be beautiful — but will it be? Bring your dirties to find out.
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/a30882f6b83a4ee4f3d68c283552fb96d2ff9cf543d7fa9197f4ca860c341069/g_Coin_Op_1_o.jpg)
Installation view. ‘Tega Brain, 2012, Coin Operated Wetland,’ FirstDraft Gallery, Sydney. Image credit: Alex Davies.
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/560fc0f3c26a7a4cce5b1896000530507aa27646a8e3010f5a954e9909c42bef/g_Coin_Op_3_o.jpg)
Installation view. ‘Tega Brain, 2012, Coin Operated Wetland,’ FirstDraft Gallery, Sydney. Image credit: Alex Davies.
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/9f553399484970d02d2ea5a2689ff61d366c8a306d50d4087a038c76c588e4fd/4_o.jpg)
Installation detail. ‘Tega Brain, 2012, Coin Operated Wetland,’ FirstDraft Gallery, Sydney. Image credit: Alex Davies.
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/35289d9d9904455f0e975f7789e97767db6bc9a98d2731f4ebe5818d012899a3/Coin_Operated_Wetland_10_o.jpg)
Installation view. ‘Tega Brain, 2012, Coin Operated Wetland,’ FirstDraft Gallery, Sydney. Image credit: Alex Davies.
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/30f56feee65c87e8b18b1764f38139b1825c9307735788262f44b7495b79a196/g_Coin_Op_5_o.jpg)
Installation view. ‘Tega Brain, 2012, Coin Operated Wetland,’ FirstDraft Gallery, Sydney. Image credit: Alex Davies.
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/dba73403e366cce3b1c2d66a786f78e0743e2535b0a148635d28651f9c88a59f/TegaBrain_Coin_Operated_Wetland_5_o.jpg)
Installation view. ‘Tega Brain, 2012, Coin Operated Wetland,’ FirstDraft Gallery, Sydney. Image credit: Alex Davies.
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/5e4f0a52bb498a461e60d61c0b86b4ebac703067ee306aa0cf6d4e8f3b9909bc/g_Coin_Op_4_o.jpg)
Installation view. ‘Tega Brain, 2012, Coin Operated Wetland,’ FirstDraft Gallery, Sydney. Image credit: Alex Davies.
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/45542f3f9b59d5056f6d5aca43d9c00c70036c455b3391242d19a71e47fe37fc/g_Coin_Op_2_o.jpg)
Installation view. ‘Tega Brain, 2012, Coin Operated Wetland,’ FirstDraft Gallery, Sydney. Image credit: Alex Davies.
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/5108a311169a244650c7feec7fbb84e6dabaa9fe43905e30bfc591bd02e579be/Coin_Operated_Wetland_13_o.jpg)
Installation view. ‘Tega Brain, 2012, Coin Operated Wetland,’ FirstDraft Gallery, Sydney. Image credit: Alex Davies.
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/f076b129a8cdbdd58034c63c8bbfc432351eca5d007f9f11d11ec919ce9e192a/Coin_Operated_Wetland_1_o.jpg)
Installation view. ‘Tega Brain, 2012, Coin Operated Wetland,’ FirstDraft Gallery, Sydney. Image credit: Alex Davies.
EXHIBITIONS
Futures, Smithsonian Arts and Industries (2021-2022)
Firstdraft Gallery, Sydney (2012)
CREDITS
Thank you to Peter Gillam for his advice on wetland sizing.
Thank you to FirstDraft Gallery for their support.