Dressed for hydraulics

“Flood Drought Sisters,’’ by Cori Champagne, in her show “Water Mgmt,’’ at Boston Sculptors Gallery through Jan. 26.

Edited from commentary by the gallery:

“Cori Champagne's exhibition features a new series of functional garments addressing our most precious resource. Intended to navigate shifting hydrological cycles, Champagne’s hand-made clothing resembles streetwear, but is designed to collect, store and distribute water in preparation for a changing eco-future.

“At the center of the exhibition, ‘Flood Drought Sisters’ posits the extremes of floods and droughts in a more advantageous relationship to one another. The exquisitely crafted rainwear for Champagne’s ‘Flood’
ensemble gathers rainwater into a series of funnel-like flower forms protruding from the back and shoulders. Collected in modular containers, the rainwater can then be transferred, transported, and utilized via the wearable storage provided by the complementary ‘Drought’ garment. The two figures face each other, inviting viewers to appreciate various details in their creation, including the upcycling of ExxonMobil coveralls in the ‘Flood’ vest. A short video expands on the narrative. Shot with the artist in multiple locations, it further illustrates the symbiotic nature of both sides of the piece.