Behold, Aquarius, for fixed media, is inspired by water, both as a resource and as a sonic inspiration. Sounds collected include but are not limited to water sounds, a shower, a toilet flushing, and filled mason jars. The work recounts a fictional imagination I had about Aquarius, the water carrier.

The composition starts with sounds signaling Aquarius’s descent from the sky to earth, transforming into his human figure to collect one of nature’s most precious elements. Aquarius sees how water has been polluted, seeing many undesired objects. He sends a messenger to tell people to purify all the water. Should they not fulfill his demand, he will do it himself. People were reluctant to follow Aquarius’s orders and ignored the messenger’s warnings. In deep fury, Aquarius starts his cleaning rampage, making whirlpools and rain, cleaning the world’s water. Ships, fish, and waterways are destroyed, and people beg him to stop.

After several pleas, the messenger convinces Aquarius to stop. Aquarius announces that if he ever comes down and sees polluted water, he will ask Poseidon to destroy their land. The composition ends as Aquarius makes his ascent back to his celestial home, leaving behind the remnants of his destruction.