Victoria Lautman, a journalist from Los Angeles, visited India for the first time about thirty years ago, starting to shoot the typical Indian wells, better known as “Baori“, “Baoli“, “Bawasi” or “Vav“. They do not have the typical characteristics of a western well, but they are real architectural structures for the collection of water, as if they were underground buildings, which were built in the Indian subcontinent from 600 AD.

In fact, these wells are true wonders of architecture, engineering and art. These favored the exploitation of water throughout the year and are of various sizes, styles and materials. The characteristic steps, form really suggestive geometries and had a precise purpose, according to the season and to the pouring of the rains, their function was to reach the level of the water to use it. When the water table increased its level, those steps gradually disappeared or vice versa, in times of drought the architecture came back to light. After a millennium these systems have been replaced by more modern and technological water systems, but their charm remains unchanged.

In 2017 the journalist published her book dedicated to these wonders worthy of a Disney fairytale, immortalizing over 200 architectures, the book is called “The appearance of the wells of India”. Until October 22, 2019 you can find this series exhibition at the Fowler Museum at UCLA.

Text by Elisa Scotti