New York/Waterfall

I’ve written already about the New York Waterfalls by Olafur Eliasson, which will be coming down soon after a summer of pumping water up and over their steel scaffolds. I’m not sure this was great success as public art, but it obviously was good for the city from a tourism point of view. The water quantity–or lack of it–has been discussed. There is now concern about damage being done to trees in Brooklyn because of the constant spray of salt water. It is true, if you stand on the Promenade high above the harbor on a windy day, there is a mist of water in the air from the nearest waterfall.


Waterfall, Brooklyn piers (4×5 film)
© Brian Rose


Waterfall, Brooklyn piers (4×5 film)
© Brian Rose

After spending a couple of days on the Brooklyn waterfront shooting for an assignment, seeing the Waterfalls mostly from behind, I’ve come to appreciate their erector set aspect, with the flow of water being a more ephemeral presence. Here are two photographs of the Brooklyn piers Waterfall–one from the Promenade, and one from the edge of the water, the scruffy area that will soon be transformed into a park.