- Title: USA: Artist's man-made waterfalls flow on New York City's shoreline
- Date: 29th June 2008
- Summary: CAMERAMEN NEW YORK CITY MAYOR MICHAEL BLOOMBERG ARRIVING AT PRESS CONFERENCE CAMERAMAN (SOUNDBITE) (English) NEW YORK CITY MAYOR MICHAEL BLOOMBERG SAYING: "Anyways, good morning. This is a great day for New York City. You have been reading about them, hearing about them, maybe even catching a glimpse of them, here and there, and today they're finally here. The New York City Waterfalls. And from this site you can see all four of them. Thanks to world renowned artist Olafur Eliasson and the Public Art Fund headed by Susie Freedman, New York's historic harbor has been turned into the most unexpected and intriguing waterfall destination between Niagara Falls and Victoria Falls." BROOKLYN BRIDGE AND PRESS CONFERENCE VARIOUS OF WATERFALLS (SOUNDBITE) (English) ARTIST OLAFUR ELIASSON SAYING: "We are going to great length using energy which was sustainable, and I think there is also a point in terms of (inaudible) questions which is important to raise. Engaging with the water in this way, making water explicit or making water tangible, if you want is also a story which is about what relationship do you have with your surroundings, what is your surroundings, do you have an impact on your surroundings. An impact, really, is much easier to understand when you have a physical relationship with your surroundings, rather than just thinking about it." BOAT PASSING WATERFALL PAN FROM ONE WATERFALL TO ANOTHER
- Embargoed: 14th July 2008 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Usa
- Country: USA
- Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz
- Reuters ID: LVA18YA49BIAKBLM70LHOG6O17R6
- Story Text: A two-year, estimated $15.5 million (USD) waterfall project by artist Olafur Eliasson is unveiled in New York City.
SCRIPT: New York City's East River now has waterfalls, at least man-made ones. The city's mayor, Michael Bloomberg, and artist Olafur Eliasson presented "The New York City Waterfalls" on Thursday (June 26), a
5 million USD art project comprised of four, 90 to 120 foot falls.
Constructed out of 220 tons of scaffolding, the structures took over two years to plan and build, with over twenty permits allotted for the groundbreaking project.
"New York's historic harbor has been turned into the most unexpected and intriguing waterfall destination between Niagara Falls and Victoria Falls" said Bloomberg.
Eliasson worked with over 70 designers, engineers and construction teams to complete the mammoth waterfalls. He said that, even with it's logistical challenges, he wanted this to be a 'green project.' The scaffolding, once the exhibition ends, will be reused for other projects. LED lights, protection for the river's aquatic life, as well as purchased energy credits contributed to keeping the exhibit Earth-friendly.
Eliasson said he hopes the Waterfalls project will open peoples' eyes to what environmental blueprints they leave on the their surroundings.
"An impact, really, is much easier to understand when you have a physical relationship with your surroundings, rather than just thinking about it,"
he said.
The New York City Waterfalls project will be on display until October 13th. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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