-- --

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Making a Splash, at Lincoln Center

Lincoln Center, NYC
Photo by myself at Lincoln Center, around 63rd Street and Broadway.

The new fountain at Lincoln Center is up and running. The fountain is elegantly designed - the sculptured granite top is elevated on legs and lit from below. The building in the background is the Metropolitan Opera House.

The polished surface of the fountain looks like it's wet but don't be fooled. You can sit on it and enjoy the view.

--

When I recently read about the design and construction of the new fountain at Lincoln Center, I knew I had to visit it soon.

There's a great article in the New Yorker describing the powerful new water pumps installed below the plaza. A fountain expert from LA was brought in, who designed fountains for fancy casinos in Las Vegas. The new technology out there in fountain design are fascinating.

I'm sorry to say that my link is to the summary of the article. Unfortunately the article can be viewed by subscribers only, but isn't that the greatest excuse to subscribe to one of the best publications out there?

Here's a link to another article in the Times, which at this writing, is still free of charge. Be sure to check out the supercool animated movie of the entire design on the left sidebar, showing the renovation plans for the entire complex.

Related posts: Up With the Arts, at Lincoln Center, City Portraits - The High Line, Chelsea and A Modern Icon, in New Canaan, Connecticut.

10 comments:

Olivier said...

j'adore cette vue du Lincoln Center, avec cette fontaine de nuit on peut faire plein de photos d'ombres...un endroit magnifique...

Anonymous said...

They (government in action here) tried fountains in the river. And paid an enormous sum for them. Turned them on the first time and one of the tree soaked cars in a private parking lot and coated them with sand and lime. City shut them down to fight off law suits. Turned them on again and they worked for a short period of time. Then they stopped. The sand and stuff in the river ruined the pumps and nozzles. They have been off ever since.

I like your photo and hope your city does not have to deal with such things.

Washington said...

Wow! Very beautiful! What is the building behind the fountain?

Luis Gomez said...

Beautiful fountain and I love your image!

dianasfaria.com said...

You just gave me a reason to go and check this out! I want to sit right where that person is and enjoy the fountain at exactly the time of day you have captured.
Nice photo Kitty.

Fashion Schlub said...

yeah! (what she ^ said)

Kitty said...

Thanks Olivier!

Hi Mr. Lincoln
How embarrassing about the fountains near you? That is terrible.

The water in NY is generally excellent, so I'm hopeful.

Hi Washington
Thanks for asking, I edited my post.

The building beyond houses the Metropolitan Opera. It's part of the Lincoln Center Performance complex, which houses the Opera, Ballet and Alice Tully Hall, a concert hall.

The original complex was built in the 70s and is modeled after the Capitoline Hill in Rome, where several buildings surround a plaza with a statue in the middle.

Thanks Luis!

Ha Lily, that sounds divine. I wanted to sit there and rest my weary feet (in uncomfy shoes), believe me. I can see meditating there.

Thanks Miss B!

fishwithoutbicycle said...

I love Lincoln Center, I think it's one of the most romantic spots in the city!! Fabulous photo as usual Kitty, the sky is such a beautiful colour.

Lori said...

I read those articles about the fountain. Am currently kicking myself for not making it out there to see before we left town. Thanks for the photo though. That's why I read your blog!

Anonymous said...

Hello Kitty

I am enjoying your photos & blog--each day I a reliving my month over there. The Met has a lush red and gold interior with amazing--I saw 2 operas and was blown away both times. Also I was impressed by the ticket prices which are so much more user-friendly than my local, the Sydney Opera House.