Globally, overcapitalized regions extract more than their fair share of resources from undercapitalized regions. Water, the most vital resource after air, is no exception. Most residents of undercapitalized regions go to bed thirsty every night, only to face a new fight for water in the morning. Most residents in overcapitalized regions need only take minimal notice of where their seemingly inexhaustible water supply comes from (so far). With the "Sacramento River Paradox" Niemeyer seeks to direct our attention to the awesome Sacramento River, which quenches the thirst of 1/3 of all California residents, grows their food, and washes their bodies. 

In a set of three images, Niemeyer visualizes the river's flow and water level throughout the seasons (in this show, Winter 2023). Flow and level are the result of snowmelt, temperature, wind and rainfall, connecting the most remote regions of California with the most densely populated urban centers. The images show this data through novel data visualizations. The left image in the triptych shows AI forecast, the right image shows actual measurements, and the middle image shows the difference between the two. With these very nuanced representations of what we think will be and what actually is, Niemeyer directs our attention to the life of the Sacramento River, this vital resource in our midst. His hope is that the images serve as a portal of respect and gratitude for what lifelines the Sacramento River throws us every day. Only solid respect for local resources can inform equal respect for similar resources in other regions around the world. 

The paradox is that we sometimes pay the least amount of attention to the most important things. 
-Greg O. Niemeyer