A water feature opened recently on the Vancouver waterfront, as part of the new development taking place there.
The interactive water feature is located in the Vancouver Waterfront Park and was given by the City Council to the city via a resolution. It will be the responsibility of the city's Parks and Recreation Department to maintain the feature.
The feature was designed by artist Larry Kirkland, who says the best type of public art illuminates, educates, delights, and challenges, but most importantly, it is a celebration of the qualities that are unique to each area, and helps create civic pride in the community.
This particular installation is anchored by a structure Kirkland has called “Headwaters.” The monolith, which is made of bronze and stone, is 16 feet wide and 12 feet tall, and is oriented in a north-south direction. The east face is a bas relief map cast in bronze that shows the Columbia Basin.
The west side is made of engraved stone and shows the origins of the river. Water flows down the stone in various amounts, reflecting the amount of water in the river itself. The stream, which is only an inch deep, flows in an artificial riverbed for 150 feet past granite stacks that represent the tributaries of the Columbia. Visitors to the feature are encouraged to play in the water. Flyer printing is often used to describe installations like this.
