In London, an unusual fountain has recently attracted a lot of attention: statues appear to be "vomiting" brownish water. While the image is shocking, it doesn't aim to distract, but rather to draw attention to a major environmental problem, blending art, a political message, and virality.<\/p>\n
Installed on the South Bank, near Observation Point, this ephemeral artwork, entitled "The Fountain of Filth," subverts the classic conventions of bronze fountains. On several levels, men, women, and children appear to be expelling dark, opaque water. This deliberately unsettling image serves a clear purpose: to denounce the problem of wastewater discharge in the United Kingdom.<\/p>\n
The installation was unveiled to coincide with the launch of the Channel 4<\/a> documentary series "Dirty Business," which investigates the controversial practices of some private water companies. Through this visual gesture, the 4Creative studio transforms a public space into a forum for debate, inviting passersby to reflect on the impact of pollution on health and the environment.<\/p>\n Since the privatization of the water sector in England and Wales in the 1980s, discharges of sewage into rivers and the sea have been regularly reported. Authorities permit these discharges under certain circumstances, particularly during heavy rainfall, but their frequency and volume are highly controversial.<\/p>\n The fountain metaphorically illustrates these practices and their consequences. Environmental activists and citizens denounce health effects such as irritations, infections, and illnesses linked to contact with contaminated water. By visually exposing this problem in the heart of a busy public space, the installation seeks to make tangible an issue often perceived as distant.<\/p>\n The statues are not anonymous. Some were created from 3D scans of individuals involved in the defense of British waters, such as surfer and activist Sophie Hellyer. The sculpted bodies thus embody citizens confronted with the consequences of pollution.<\/p>\n At the top of the fountain, a male figure in a suit, his pockets overflowing with banknotes, symbolizes the presumed responsibility of water company executives, accused of prioritizing profits over infrastructure. This contrast between victims and perpetrators reinforces the installation's political message.<\/p>\n The installation includes a QR code that allows passersby to access additional content, testimonials, and the "Dirty Business" series, the result of several years of investigation. Art thus becomes a tool for communication and awareness-raising, making the message more accessible and interactive.<\/p>\n Images of the fountain quickly circulated on social media, fueling discussions and controversies. Some praised the artistic boldness and the work's ability to make a complex issue visible. Others deemed it too provocative, even excessive. In any case, the objective was achieved: the debate was launched.<\/p>\n The fountain's success lies in its striking contrast: the classical aesthetic of a fountain juxtaposed with a deliberately shocking scene. This blend of art and social message transforms the way passersby see the fountain, provokes reactions, and serves as a reminder of the importance of wastewater pollution, a crucial but often overlooked issue.<\/p>\n Ultimately, if these statues are "vomiting" in the heart of London, it's not for gratuitous sensationalism. They serve as a reminder that art can be a powerful tool for raising awareness, provoking reflection, and highlighting urgent environmental and health issues. Beyond the visual shock, they remind us that water pollution is not an abstract problem: it concerns us all and deserves to be seen, heard\u2026 and discussed.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"In London, an unusual fountain has recently attracted a lot of attention: statues appear to be "vomiting" brownish...","protected":false},"author":8375,"featured_media":435468,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"disable_msn":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[72668],"tags":[97759],"class_list":["post-435393","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-green","tag-news"],"image":{"medium":["https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/screen-yt-statues-vomissent-Londres-200x113.jpg",200,113,true],"large":["https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/screen-yt-statues-vomissent-Londres-500x281.jpg",500,281,true]},"custom":{"td_video":"","featured_image":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/screen-yt-statues-vomissent-Londres.jpg","author":{"name":"Fabienne Baure","avatar":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/fabienne_baure-96x96.jpg"},"categories":[{"term_id":72668,"name":"Green","slug":"green","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":72840,"taxonomy":"category","description":" The Green section of The Body Optimist is for anyone who wants to practice everyday sustainability<\/strong> in a practical, guilt-free way: mindful shopping, secondhand, reducing waste, natural beauty, gardening and eco-friendly habits at home. Our articles offer solutions that work for every budget and lifestyle, while keeping a critical eye on brands\u2019 environmental claims.<\/p>\n The most eco-friendly choice is often to buy less. Before you buy, ask yourself whether you could borrow, rent, repair or find the item secondhand. Use what you already own until it wears out: there\u2019s no need to replace your plastic containers with brand-new glass jars to go zero waste. Then focus on the areas where your habits weigh the most, such as food, transportation, heating and clothing. Secondhand works for plus sizes too: online thrift stores, resale groups and clothing swaps often let you filter by size.<\/p>\n Greenwashing means presenting a product or a company as more environmentally friendly than it really is. Be wary of vague terms like \u201cnatural,\u201d \u201cgreen\u201d or \u201ceco-friendly\u201d when no evidence backs them up, and of claims that highlight a single benefit while staying silent on the rest. Look for independent, verified certifications, such as the EU Ecolabel in Europe, and read the ingredient list or the product\u2019s origin rather than the slogan.<\/p>\n We stand for inclusive, judgment-free environmentalism: everyone works with their own budget, housing, health and time. We favor useful habits over \u201cgreen\u201d purchases and keep a critical eye on brands\u2019 environmental arguments. We also keep in mind that individual efforts matter, but that large-scale change depends first on businesses and governments.<\/p>\n Yes, in most cases: buying secondhand extends an item\u2019s life and avoids manufacturing a new product, which is often the most polluting stage. The benefit shrinks if you end up buying more because it\u2019s cheaper, or if your orders add up to many individual deliveries. The best option is still to buy only what you need.<\/p>\n Start by turning down what you don\u2019t need (flyers, free samples, bags), then reuse what you already have: jars, cloth bags, containers. Buy the products you use most in bulk or in large sizes, drink tap water where it is safe to drink and compost your food scraps if you can.<\/p>\n Not necessarily. \u201cNatural\u201d doesn\u2019t mean risk-free: essential oils, for example, can irritate the skin or trigger allergies. The appeal of natural or organic cosmetics lies mainly in their formulas and their environmental impact. A short routine with products suited to your skin type remains the simplest and most sustainable approach.<\/p>\n Want to go further? Take care of yourself with simple habits in our Skincare<\/a> section, cook with the seasons in our Food<\/a> section and create a more sustainable home with our Decor<\/a> section.<\/p>","parent":0,"count":352,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":72668,"category_count":352,"category_description":" The Green section of The Body Optimist is for anyone who wants to practice everyday sustainability<\/strong> in a practical, guilt-free way: mindful shopping, secondhand, reducing waste, natural beauty, gardening and eco-friendly habits at home. Our articles offer solutions that work for every budget and lifestyle, while keeping a critical eye on brands\u2019 environmental claims.<\/p>\n The most eco-friendly choice is often to buy less. Before you buy, ask yourself whether you could borrow, rent, repair or find the item secondhand. Use what you already own until it wears out: there\u2019s no need to replace your plastic containers with brand-new glass jars to go zero waste. Then focus on the areas where your habits weigh the most, such as food, transportation, heating and clothing. Secondhand works for plus sizes too: online thrift stores, resale groups and clothing swaps often let you filter by size.<\/p>\n Greenwashing means presenting a product or a company as more environmentally friendly than it really is. Be wary of vague terms like \u201cnatural,\u201d \u201cgreen\u201d or \u201ceco-friendly\u201d when no evidence backs them up, and of claims that highlight a single benefit while staying silent on the rest. Look for independent, verified certifications, such as the EU Ecolabel in Europe, and read the ingredient list or the product\u2019s origin rather than the slogan.<\/p>\n We stand for inclusive, judgment-free environmentalism: everyone works with their own budget, housing, health and time. We favor useful habits over \u201cgreen\u201d purchases and keep a critical eye on brands\u2019 environmental arguments. We also keep in mind that individual efforts matter, but that large-scale change depends first on businesses and governments.<\/p>\n Yes, in most cases: buying secondhand extends an item\u2019s life and avoids manufacturing a new product, which is often the most polluting stage. The benefit shrinks if you end up buying more because it\u2019s cheaper, or if your orders add up to many individual deliveries. The best option is still to buy only what you need.<\/p>\n Start by turning down what you don\u2019t need (flyers, free samples, bags), then reuse what you already have: jars, cloth bags, containers. Buy the products you use most in bulk or in large sizes, drink tap water where it is safe to drink and compost your food scraps if you can.<\/p>\n Not necessarily. \u201cNatural\u201d doesn\u2019t mean risk-free: essential oils, for example, can irritate the skin or trigger allergies. The appeal of natural or organic cosmetics lies mainly in their formulas and their environmental impact. A short routine with products suited to your skin type remains the simplest and most sustainable approach.<\/p>\n Want to go further? Take care of yourself with simple habits in our Skincare<\/a> section, cook with the seasons in our Food<\/a> section and create a more sustainable home with our Decor<\/a> section.<\/p>","cat_name":"Green","category_nicename":"green","category_parent":0}]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/435393","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8375"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=435393"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/435393\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":435469,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/435393\/revisions\/435469"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/435468"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=435393"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=435393"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=435393"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}} A denunciation of the wastewater crisis<\/h2>\n
Faces that tell a story<\/h2>\n
A campaign that goes beyond art<\/h2>\n
A viral and necessary work<\/h2>\n
What you\u2019ll find in the Green section<\/h2>\n
\n
Where should you start if you want to shop more sustainably?<\/h2>\n
How can you spot greenwashing?<\/h2>\n
Our approach<\/h2>\n
Articles to start with<\/h2>\n
\n
Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n
Is buying secondhand really better for the planet?<\/h3>\n
How can you reduce waste without spending more?<\/h3>\n
Are natural cosmetics better for your skin?<\/h3>\n
What you\u2019ll find in the Green section<\/h2>\n
\n
Where should you start if you want to shop more sustainably?<\/h2>\n
How can you spot greenwashing?<\/h2>\n
Our approach<\/h2>\n
Articles to start with<\/h2>\n
\n
Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n
Is buying secondhand really better for the planet?<\/h3>\n
How can you reduce waste without spending more?<\/h3>\n
Are natural cosmetics better for your skin?<\/h3>\n