The Waterfalls Hit NYC

They're here! Long in the making, and sure to top the 2005 Gates exhibit in Central Park, the Danish artist Olafur Eliasson's waterfall installation has been unveiled in our fair town.

What are these waterfalls exactly? Well, basically, they are four giant scaffolds in the East River and New York harbor that suck up and spin around water, then dump it back into "the drink" (as my dad would have called it). Two are located on the Brooklyn water front, one on Governors Island, the other off Pier 35 in Manhattan. In order to see them you have to go to one of the viewing areas or take the ferry boat tour. This link will take you to the New York Times review of this project and it has links to lots of viewing info as well.

I think this is so cool. Some cynics might argue that giant public exhibits like this and the Gates are a waste of time and money and contribute nothing to society. I strongly disagree. This is why, besides some of my problems with him, I fundamentally like Mayor Bloomberg: he understands that events like this create excitement, generate tourism (and tourist dollars), and help to give NYC it's special edge -- that of a daring, never conventional city.

Besides, they're just fun. Can't things ever just be fun for fun's sake? And better than that, they're free!

Long live the Waterfalls! Actually they only go until October 13 so don't dawdle, time flies.