New York City now offers a spectacular public waterfall installation for those who yearn to see cascading falls but are far from what one would consider to be an outdoorsy type. There's no hiking involved to see Olafur Eliasson's The New York City Waterfalls, the $15.5 million project which opened last week. The project was commissioned by The Public Art Fund, a nonprofit group that installs art around the city.
"Located at four points along the East River in lower Manhattan, the falls cost $15.5 million to build and involved an American-based crew of almost 200 engineers, designers, consultants, permitting specialists, and electricians," New York Magazine says.
"The waterfall under the Brooklyn Bridge is especially captivating and seems to appear out of nowhere like a portal from another dimension. The Governors Island cascade almost rises up from the surface of water. The one near the Brooklyn Navy Yards is like a primordial water spout. Lit at night, the falls turn ghostly. Coming upon each in a boat is like visiting an alien life form."
There are boat rides which tour the falls, which offer neat tidbits of information such as the fact that the biggest fall is taller than the Statue of Liberty.
The gallery shows 10 different magnificent views of the falls.
Waterfalls as Urban Art (UPDATE)
The New York City Waterfalls Now Open
Trend Themes
1. Public Art Installations - The New York City Waterfalls project showcases the potential for public art installations to enhance urban spaces and attract tourists.
2. Urban Tourism - The boat rides that tour the waterfalls demonstrate the growing trend of urban tourism and the demand for unique experiences within cities.
3. Nighttime Lighting Design - The ghostly appearance of the lit waterfalls at night highlights the trend of integrating innovative lighting designs to create captivating nighttime experiences.
Industry Implications
1. Art and Culture - The New York City Waterfalls project presents opportunities for artists, art organizations, and cultural institutions to collaborate on large-scale public art installations.
2. Tourism and Hospitality - The waterfalls as a tourist attraction indicate potential opportunities for the tourism and hospitality industry to develop unique urban experiences and increase visitor engagement.
3. Lighting and Design - The lighting design used to enhance the waterfalls presents innovation opportunities for companies specializing in nighttime architectural lighting and design.