Gallery: *Surface Tension'*s Watery Art Will Hit You Like a Rogue Wave
Patrick Bolger, Patrick Bolger01pb11139-090-copy
*Ralph Borland's* The Problem With PlayPump *documents the difference in perceptions about needs held by those in industrialized and developing nations.*
Patrick Bolger, Patrick Bolger02pb11139-158-copy
*In Hal Watts'* Bottled Waste, *the audience is encouraged to see just how much more energy goes into a liter of bottled water than a liter of tap water by pumping it themselves.*
Patrick Bolger, Patrick Bolger03pb11139-150-copy
*David Bowen's* Tele-Present Water *is a mechanical grid whose motion is stimulated by the movement of swells somewhere in the Pacific Ocean.*
Patrick Bolger, Patrick Bolger04pb11139-148-copy
*EFTEQ's* The Prepaid Water Meter *is an example of a water-management device from South Africa that only allows a minimal amount of free water to poor residents, showing the intersection of water as human right and as commodity.*
Patrick Bolger, Patrick Bolger05pb11139-102-copy
*In Matthew Costello's* Hidden, *the artist explores the virtual water present in manufactured goods, with the size of each bottle proportionate to how much water it takes to make the stopper at the top. (The stoppers are made of different materials.)*
Patrick Bolger, Patrick Bolger06pb11139-087-copy
*Part of a bigger project to bring more durable water pumps to rural Uganda,* Water Wear, *by Brian Concoran, Andrew Clarke and Lar Boland, shows visitors how to operate a pump and feel the physical effort pumping takes.*
Patrick Bolger, Patrick Bolger07pb11139-075-copy
*For* Urban Water Needs: Can We Keep Up, *Matthew Laws and Hal Watts designed a world map made of layered sponges, then poured water on each country proportional to its expected water use in 2030.*
Patrick Bolger, Patrick Bolger08pb11139-022-copy
*Olivia Decaris'* Pouch *is an inventive and malleable carafe that works like a cow's udder when attached to a faucet, inviting the user to more carefully consider their water usage. It's one of many water-themed art exhibits at* Surface Tension: The Future of Water *in New York City.*
Patrick Bolger, Patrick Bolger09pb11139-024-copy
*Shown here at its original home in Dublin, Ireland, Julius Popp's* Bit.Fall *prints water into cascading words that are generated from a live feed of news around the internet.*
Patrick Bolger, Patrick Bolger10pb11139-028-copy
*In Petroc Sesti's* Event Horizon, *a perpetual whirlpool is suspended in a bell jar.*
Breathe Easy Thanks to the Best Air Purifier for Every Home
Protect your home against dust, pets, allergies, and more with the best air purifiers, tested firsthand.
Molly Higgins
The Best Duffel Bags for Commuters and Chronic Overpackers
Need to schlep some stuff? These field-tested duffels can handle your baggage.
Louryn Strampe
The WIRED Guide to Los Angeles for Business Travelers
A tech industry guide to where to stay, eat, work, and play while visiting LA.
Jordan Michelman
The Best Travel Toiletry Bags for Every Trip
Our team evaluated a ton of toiletry bags to find the best storage, organization, and design options for all your essentials.
Kat Merck
Quell the Heat With Our Favorite Window Air Conditioners
These are the AC units we’ve trusted to cool our homes for months, if not years.
Matthew Korfhage
The Best Meal Kits of 2026, Tested by a Former Restaurant Critic
Here are the best meal kits in 2026, including Martha Stewart’s delivery box, a GLP-1–supportive plan, and a budget-friendly option.
Matthew Korfhage
This Year’s Best Father’s Day Gifts for the Man Who Says He Doesn’t Need Anything
Dads are traditionally tough to shop for—let me help with these handpicked gift ideas for fathers with great taste.
Martin Cizmar
The Best Wireless Chargers to Refuel Your Phone (or Watch)
Stop fumbling for cables in the dark. These WIRED-tested stands and pads will take the hassle out of refueling your phone, wireless earbuds, and watch.
Simon Hill
The Dyson Vacuums Worth Buying
Feeling the pull of a new clean machine? We’ll help you make sense of Dyson’s whirlwind vacuum lineup.
Nena Farrell
The Romance Scammer Who Made a Small Fortune Posing as a WWE Superstar
In this excerpt from WIRED Book Club pick The Yahoo Boys, journalist Carlos Barragán traces one scammer’s journey from flop to fortune.
Carlos Barragán
All the Best Vacuum Cleaners We’ve Ever Tried
Looking for all our top recommended vacuums? Here are our favorites in every style we’ve tested, from stick vacs to robot vacuums.
Nena Farrell
I Tried 13 of the Most Popular Indoor Gardening Systems
Grow a backyard’s worth of greens and vegetables in your house with a vertical hydroponic garden. Here are a few that might be worth the investment.
Kat Merck