Picnic With a Fish

People having a picnic with fishtanks at the Scottsdale Waterfront

man holding a baby up to look at a fish White Amur

View of the picnic with balloon trees from across the canal

Couple talks in front of a fish tank full of white amurs

Kids talk with a historian in front of a fish tank at an art event by Scottsdale Public Art

The Soleri Bridge Plaza was transformed for one day into a surreal park featuring White Amur, the fish used to clean the canal by the plaza. Artificial turf, balloon trees, picnic blankets, a DJ playing bubbly lounge music, and three large fishtanks created an environment where visitors were able to share a meal in the company of their finned friends. People were invited to bring a picnic basket, buy a boxed lunch from a nearby restaurant, or take a free orange and from the welcome booth. Historian Marshall Shore and Salt River Project biologist Brian Moorhead were on hand to help visitors understand the use of the fish in the Valley’s canal system.

Video about the project

Date: March 25, 2012
Location: Soleri Bridge Plaza, Scottsdale, AZ
Commissioning Agency: Scottsdale Public Art
Details: Temporary art environment and event featuring live White Amur
Project Manager: Kirsten Van Cleef
SRP: Brian Moorhead, Biologist, Jim Duncan, Facilitator
Historian: Marshall Shore
Project Team Leaders: Mykl Wells, Keith Laber
Photographs: A.T. Willett