The New York City Waterfalls
by Olafur
Eliasson
presented by Public Art Fund,
in collaboration with The City of
New York
Summer 2008
Brooklyn Bridge (Brooklyn)
Between
Piers 4 and 5 (Brooklyn)
Pier 35 (Manhattan)
Governors Island
(Click images to enlarge)
This summer residents and
visitors from around the world will be able to view the incredible sight of The New York City Waterfalls, a temporary
work of public art by artist Olafur Eliasson, commissioned by the Public Art
Fund. The display consists of four man-made waterfalls at sites along the
shores of the East River. The project
highlights the recent renaissance of the City's waterfront, as well as the
current environmental priorities of Mayor Bloomberg. The New York City Waterfalls recognizes and respects
the value of the river, its wildlife and shoreline, and also runs on "green
power," electricity generated from renewable resources. Public Art Fund is
joining with City and State agencies and environmental organizations to develop
resources for young people and adults to enjoy the Waterfalls that examine the
waterfront through the topics of art, history, environmental responsibility,
aquatic life, ecology, water conservation, and other related subjects.
Born in Copenhagen in 1967, Eliasson is considered
one of his generation’s most influential artists. Throughout his career, he has
taken inspiration from natural elements and phenomena, such as light, wind,
fog, and water, to create sculptures and installations that evoke sensory
experiences. He is perhaps best known for The weather project (2003) at
Tate Modern in London, a giant sun made of 200 yellow lamps, mirrors and mist
that transformed the museum’s massive Turbine Hall and drew over 2 million
visitors during its five-month installation. In developing The New York City
Waterfalls, his goal is to give people an opportunity to reconsider their
relationships to nature and to the spectacular surroundings by placing them in
the midst of the dense social, environmental, and political tissue that makes
up the heart of New York City.
The four waterfalls will be located by the Brooklyn anchorage of the Brooklyn Bridge,
between Piers 4 and 5 in Brooklyn, in Lower Manhattan at Pier 35, and on the
north shore of Governors Island. The New York City Waterfalls will be on display in
summer 2008 and will be in operation from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.
The Waterfalls will be visible by foot and by
boat, including dedicated water tours organized in collaboration
with Circle Line Downtown. To learn more go to: http://www.nycwaterfalls.org.
Read the official Press Release from Mayor Bloomberg and the Public Art Fund.
