Donkeys and Elephants and Delegates,oh my!
Check out the most popular
The New York City Waterfalls
cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com — New York City is now 10 days away from the unveiling of “Waterfalls,” the much anticipated and hyped $15 million public art project by the Danish-Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson. The project will be the biggest public art installation since “The Gates” in Central Park, 2005. Personally I wish they fix and paint my N train station instead...
lazycat- 722 diggs
- digg it
- weiwuwei, on 06/17/2008, -4/+16That's awesome; would love to see it!
- xptoast, on 06/18/2008, -2/+4Could they possibly put in a small turbine under the bridge to use the current to drive the pumps that are pumping the water for the waterfall?
- ronjohnson, on 06/18/2008, -2/+1No crap, they had the stupid drapes all over the news when that happened and no crap about this. This is at least cool and worthy of a city trip.
- gavinhudson, on 06/17/2008, -2/+15No way! This looks amazing.
- cdahlkvist, on 06/18/2008, -1/+2It does?
$15 million. I wonder what they did with the other $14,990,000 because all I see is scaffolding and some water pumps.
Waste of money for something hideous. Oh yes, that is the definition of "art" these days, isn't it?
- cdahlkvist, on 06/18/2008, -1/+2It does?
- LadyKofNYC, on 06/17/2008, -9/+9Can't wait!! Also can't wait till they finally build the new Brooklyn waterfront park. (20 years in the making thanks to dumb ass groups like the Sierra Club who have to take issue with anything and everything having to do with progress and development.)
- Cattywampus, on 06/18/2008, -1/+9People can now actually catch fish (live ones) in the Hudson River, thanks to the work of 'dumb ass' groups like Sierra Club.
Some people just have the crazy idea that public waterways should be more than sewers or toxic waste dumps. Go figure.- dickybrown, on 06/18/2008, -2/+2I dare you (or any of the people fishing the hudson) to eat what you catch
- seangdolan, on 07/07/2008, -0/+0Can't wait? Lemme tell ya, as a native NY'er....I've seen it...
BORING.
Gimme a break. Some tubing and water from the river???
GARBAGE.
Spend money on MUSIC PROGRAMS.
-S
- Cattywampus, on 06/18/2008, -1/+9People can now actually catch fish (live ones) in the Hudson River, thanks to the work of 'dumb ass' groups like Sierra Club.
- FrequentFlyer29, on 06/17/2008, -14/+30Bloomberg just wastes public funds with his grand art installations instead of fixing NYC's crippled, century old infrastructure. Just take a subway ride to Brooklyn or drive to JFK airport to get my point.
- wendelgee2, on 06/18/2008, -3/+15"The Lower Manhattan Development Corporation, as part of its efforts to promote downtown tourism, is contributing $2 million toward the cost of the project."
This is not funded by the city.- noahhoward, on 06/18/2008, -2/+8You still have $13million unaccounte for there buddy. 15 > 2
- Cattywampus, on 06/18/2008, -1/+9From a previous NYTimes article:
"City officials and the Public Art Fund say that no city money is being used to pay for the waterfalls, with all of the funds coming from foundations, corporations and private supporters."
- Cattywampus, on 06/18/2008, -1/+9From a previous NYTimes article:
- sovietninja, on 06/18/2008, -1/+1$15 million in taxpayer money =/= $2 million tax write-off
- noahhoward, on 06/18/2008, -2/+8You still have $13million unaccounte for there buddy. 15 > 2
- Cattywampus, on 06/18/2008, -1/+5Did you read the article? It doesn't mention anything about the city paying any money for this project. The Gates wasn't publicly funded either, and the City claims that project brought in $254 in tourist revenue.
There supposedly has been the biggest housing building boom in the City in decades under Bloomberg (and in all boroughs, not just Manhattan). Of course the City always has room for improvement, but if you were living there in the '70s, the grand age of crime, graffiti all over the (un-air-conditioned) subway cars, and dirty streets, things are much, much better these days.
"... or drive to JFK airport to get my point."
--No thanks.- mikeazorin, on 06/18/2008, -0/+6$254, really?
- Cattywampus, on 06/18/2008, -0/+5Good point, I forgot the 'millions' after the $254.
$254 would get a tourist a cheap hotel room and a lukewarm knish.
- Cattywampus, on 06/18/2008, -0/+5Good point, I forgot the 'millions' after the $254.
- mikeazorin, on 06/18/2008, -0/+6$254, really?
- mason55, on 06/18/2008, -1/+2no public money went to fund these
- wendelgee2, on 06/18/2008, -3/+15"The Lower Manhattan Development Corporation, as part of its efforts to promote downtown tourism, is contributing $2 million toward the cost of the project."
- homedaddy, on 06/17/2008, -1/+20it really does look cool. still, seems pretty expensive for a short term installation, it only runs for a few months.
- bbland, on 06/18/2008, -1/+1but it splashes!
- Cattywampus, on 06/18/2008, -1/+2It's all being paid for foundations, corporations, etc. The City isn't paying for the costs, and expects it will bring in a lot of tourist money.
The Gates supposedly brought in $254 million in tourist revenue, the City claims.
- gutterboy, on 06/17/2008, -2/+22If this city knows what's good for them they will blast TLC's "Waterfalls" the entire time of this installation.
- haydesigner, on 06/18/2008, -1/+2No.
Just.... no.
- haydesigner, on 06/18/2008, -1/+2No.
- allowners, on 06/17/2008, -2/+14My little city just finished a "beautification" project for the business district, consisting of putting up a bunch of decorative little brick walls and brick strips in the pavement. And we still don't have side walks throughout the area, much less bike paths. What a short-sighted waste of resources.
- sovietninja, on 06/18/2008, -0/+5The reason why is:
Who do you think donated the campaign money to get your "elected" city council in place? The 5 year old who got hit by a car because of the lack of bike paths, or the corporation who had the business district built with your tax dollars?
- sovietninja, on 06/18/2008, -0/+5The reason why is:
- madrid, on 06/18/2008, -8/+1Painting your N train station would be a waste of money. It's uglier now, I'm sure, but it was probably ugly when they made it, and painting it will just keep it not-so-ugly for about a week until which time it will get uglier again.
- Cattywampus, on 06/18/2008, -0/+2Do you really dislike the N train, or are you this happy and upbeat about life in general?
- superkendall, on 06/18/2008, -7/+5I really liked the Gates, this one is not quite appealing enough for me to take a trip to New York for, but it sounds interesting anyway.
- Brainmodder, on 06/18/2008, -6/+2Pics or it didn't happen.
- TweedleDan, on 06/18/2008, -0/+6http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Level_Bridge_(Ed ... "In 1980, the "Great Divide Waterfall," by artist Peter Lewis, was added to the structure. This man-made waterfall drops 45 metres (150 feet) from the top of the bridge into the North Saskatchewan below, and operates during holiday weekends in the summer months."
- ny18, on 07/02/2008, -0/+0Peter Lewis was ahead of his time, AND he raised the funds himself -- no taxpayer money.
- MelvinSchlubman, on 06/18/2008, -1/+10As soon as they're turned on, Christo will come along and cover them with fabric.
- upagaintwall, on 06/18/2008, -2/+8We Get Waterfalls Instead Of Fixing Our Roads, Giving Us Jobs, Giving Us Affordable Health Care What A Waste
- 471776, on 06/18/2008, -0/+5Just Out Of Interest, Why Put Every First Letter In Upper-Case? Seems Irritating And Pointless To Do.
- upagaintwall, on 06/18/2008, -1/+1I Don't Know Why I Do It Its Just Out Of A Bad Habit I Have Had Since I Was A Child. I Think It Just Looks Better IDK?
- Cattywampus, on 06/18/2008, -1/+3No City money is being used to pay for Waterfalls.
A previous public art project, The Gates, brought in $254 million in tourist revenue, the City says.
- 471776, on 06/18/2008, -0/+5Just Out Of Interest, Why Put Every First Letter In Upper-Case? Seems Irritating And Pointless To Do.
- sovietninja, on 06/18/2008, -1/+21I did something similar once. I was told to go water the plants in the front yard. This mysterious man approached me, and gave me $15 dollars. I asked, "What is this for?". He said, make me a magnificent waterfall, with that water hose. So I just pointed it at the sky and the man began to laugh and dance like a fairy around the falling water. Once he had his fill, he thanked me and asked me to vote for him some day. I thought he was just a crazy... who knew that Michael R. Bloomberg would become Mayor of New York someday!
- armoreddillo, on 06/18/2008, -0/+9For some reason i thought, about half way into the comment, you were going to go into the fresh price song.
I'm glad you didn't..- sovietninja, on 06/18/2008, -1/+6You were lucky this time.
- armoreddillo, on 06/18/2008, -0/+9For some reason i thought, about half way into the comment, you were going to go into the fresh price song.
- Patrickdnj, on 06/18/2008, -1/+7SO that's what was in my photograph of the Brooklyn Bridge!
http://patrickdnj.deviantart.com/art/Brooklyn-Brid ...
the scaffolding...... - thedymest, on 06/18/2008, -3/+4I love it, creativity over practicality any day. One of the reasons I love living in NYC.
- blazemore, on 06/18/2008, -2/+5What a waste of money.
- Nick22, on 06/18/2008, -0/+6Well it did seem kind of cool, until I read that it only runs for a few months then they are taking it down. Its just a waste of money and time IMO unless its permanent
- Cattywampus, on 06/18/2008, -1/+11To all the people complaining about City funds being used to fund this project, it's not true according to an article in the NYTimes a couple of weeks ago:
"City officials and the Public Art Fund say that no city money is being used to pay for the waterfalls, with all of the funds coming from foundations, corporations and private supporters."
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/02/arts/design/02wa ...
C'mon folks, do a little research before complaining about taxpayer money being used for things that it's not actually being used for.- mastachicken, on 06/26/2008, -0/+0those foundations , corporations and private supported are ***** stupid then.
whos gonna pay the electric bill?
- mastachicken, on 06/26/2008, -0/+0those foundations , corporations and private supported are ***** stupid then.
- kenvsryu, on 06/18/2008, -2/+12NYC is the best city in the universe.
- helleborus, on 06/18/2008, -1/+3I love this! What a nice contrast to that hideous gates thing which blighted the park with what looked like miles of construction fencing. I don't know a single NYer who liked it or an out of towner who wasn't disappointed when they came to see it. I want to see all of these waterfalls though!
- TakeMyCrabs, on 06/18/2008, -0/+3I wonder who funds those foundations that contributed to this project...
- jennybug, on 06/18/2008, -1/+1Visiting NYC in September and looking forward to seeing this artwork event....
- IronDonut, on 06/18/2008, -7/+3This is the dumbest ***** thing that I've read all day. Someone should get a boot in the ass for an idea come to life this moronic.
I'm going to get the greenies all stirred up about the amount of carbon the pumps powering this thing will emit into the air. - ktforfreak, on 06/18/2008, -1/+6Screw all the people starving in Africa. Let's spend $15 million on a waterfall.
- RareSaturn, on 06/18/2008, -3/+2I'm glad they did this rather than fix & paint your train station, it looks awesome.
- weister42, on 06/18/2008, -0/+4Take that Dubai
...and then they built a bigger one...- Gemfinder, on 06/18/2008, -0/+2And by golly, you know they will.
Several times over.
And make it permanent.
Your tax dollars (aka, the money you spend at the pump) at work.
- Gemfinder, on 06/18/2008, -0/+2And by golly, you know they will.
- kds405, on 06/18/2008, -2/+2This is public art funded by some guy or foundation, not the city or the country. The money would have never gone to Africa or roads or to create jobs. You might as well make something beautiful out of money instead of just spending it on stuff.
- gubatron2, on 07/15/2008, -0/+1damn waste of money, some people really have nothing to do with the money but to dump enormous amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere, I can't imagine how much of it is being dumped to pump millions of gallons of water up day and night.
Stupidity to the max
- gubatron2, on 07/15/2008, -0/+1damn waste of money, some people really have nothing to do with the money but to dump enormous amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere, I can't imagine how much of it is being dumped to pump millions of gallons of water up day and night.
- goddessophia, on 06/18/2008, -1/+3Now I have a reason to fly to NY
- Ricemanstm, on 06/18/2008, -2/+2Wow, money well spent. From the state that brought you the Clintons. What a surprise. It is pretty, but isn't there a looming water shortage?
- ry4nsm1th, on 06/18/2008, -0/+4Just because they moved here and started wearing Yankee hats does NOT mean that our state brought you them. Let's just get that clear.
- mm911, on 06/18/2008, -1/+3Arkansas brought us the Clintons, who later landed on New York through no fault of our own.
Looming water shortage? THE WATER COMES OUT OF THE ***** RIVER AND GOES RIGHT BACK INTO IT.
- fudged71, on 06/18/2008, -0/+4I was expecting it to be really cool, and I love art, but this looks dumb to me. Its a waterfall, on a bridge. Why not have something similar inland? Have the entire side of a building pouring water?
- Gemfinder, on 06/18/2008, -2/+1Boy, that's really gonna piss Clovie off.
- jdames1980, on 06/18/2008, -0/+4Why did THAT cost $15 million? A few pipes and some water.. WTF!
- Ortheos, on 06/18/2008, -0/+2Art thrives on wasteful extravagance.
- seangdolan, on 07/07/2008, -0/+0Absolutely agreed. I saw them on my way to Jersey and didn't even know what they were. I looked it up and, WOW they're ART! This is coming from a Juilliard Graduate. What a waste of money. SPEND MONEY ON SCHOOL MUSIC PROGRAMS!!!! These waterfalls absolutely disgusted me. WHAT A CROCK.
Piping and water, WOW, now THAT'S INCREDIBLE! NOT.
-S
- diggdong, on 06/18/2008, -1/+2What a perfect way to airborne more stink. No wonder the terrorist hate us.
- liuite, on 06/18/2008, -0/+2for $15M you can fly lots of people to see waterfalls like Iguacu falls...
- mjesales, on 06/18/2008, -1/+1sounds like a good project to me. I'll have to try to get out there for it.
- gubatron2, on 07/15/2008, -0/+1I wonder why artists have to be so stupid to make something like this.
I've seen 2 of them already and it's the stupidest waste of money and energy you could imagine.
There's not even people coming to see this (the way that people went to see the gates on central park)
This is just wasting a lot of electricity day and night to pump millions of gallons of water back up non-stop.
Aren't we supposed to be green and saving energy?
This pisses me off, here's a picture
http://flickr.com/photos/paulinka/2666927793/ - problemfixer, on 09/01/2008, -0/+0Today's news is that the amount of time is being reduced in half with headlines from newspapers saying "Tap Tightened on Waterfalls" (Post), "City Turns Down Tap on Waterfalls" (Daily News), and "Hours Are Cut For Waterfalls" (Times). The reason for the 50% reduction of this event's duration was that it has destroyed shrubs, trees and plants from the misting salt spray. What most folks cannot appreciate is that the size of the soluble salts in the mist are much smaller than bacteria or viruses. These contaminants in excess contribute to corrosion on steel, cement, and other surfaces. It is for this reason that you cannot wash tools with salt water because when the water dries and the salt is deposited, there is a chemical reaction with the salts that creates rust or corrosion. Look at ships, oil platforms not protected correctly, etc. What should be done when this project is completed is a proper remediation with biodegradable soluble salt removers that are used by the government and by private industry on structures that include bridges, statues, walls, buildings, structures, and anything man-made because most structures are not designed to be washed down repeatedly with salt water. Sadly, like so many things we humans have done, however, it is too late for any plants that have been adversely impacted by the inadvertent and incessant salt wash.
The Digg Toolbar for Firefox lets you Digg, submit content, and keep track of Digg even when you're not on the Digg site. Download the official 
© Digg Inc. 2008 —
Content posted by