Outdoor Public Fountains Lost to History
Outdoor Public Fountains Lost to History As initially developed, water fountains were designed to be practical, guiding water from streams or aqueducts to the inhabitants of cities and villages, where the water could be used for cooking food, cleaning, and drinking. A supply of water higher in elevation than the fountain was necessary to pressurize the flow and send water squirting from the fountain's spout, a technology without equal until the later part of the nineteenth century. Inspiring and spectacular, prominent water fountains have been built as memorials in nearly all societies. When you see a fountain nowadays, that is not what the first water fountains looked like.
The very first accepted water fountain was a rock basin created that was used as a container for drinking water and ceremonial purposes. Rock basins are thought to have been first used around the year 2000 BC. Gravity was the energy source that operated the initial water fountains. The location of the fountains was influenced by the water source, which is why you’ll normally find them along reservoirs, waterways, or streams. The Romans began constructing elaborate fountains in 6 B.C., most of which were bronze or natural stone masks of wildlife and mythological characters. A well-engineered system of reservoirs and aqueducts kept Rome's public fountains supplied with fresh water.
The Myriad Reasons to Include a Water Feature
The Myriad Reasons to Include a Water Feature The addition of a wall water feature or an outdoor garden fountain is a great way to adorn your yard or garden design. Contemporary designers and fountain builders alike use historical fountains and water features to shape their creations. You can also reinforce the link to the past by adding one of these to your home's interior design. The water and moisture garden fountains release into the atmosphere draws birds and other creatures, and also balances the ecosystem, all of which contribute to the benefits of having one of these beautiful water features. Flying, annoying insects, for instance, are frightened off by the birds congregating near the fountain or birdbath.Wall fountains are a good option if your yard is small because they do not require much space as compared to a spouting or cascading fountain.
Either a stand-alone fountain with an even back and an attached basin set against a fence or a wall, or a wall-mounted style which is self-contained and hangs on a wall, are some of the options from which you can choose. Both a fountain mask located on the existing wall as well as a basin located at the bottom to collect the water are necessary if you wish to include a fountain. The plumbing and masonry work necessary for this kind of job requires know-how, so it is best to hire a skilled person rather than go at it yourself.
Contemporary Garden Decor: Fountains and their Beginnings
Contemporary Garden Decor: Fountains and their Beginnings The incredible construction of a fountain allows it to provide clean water or shoot water high into air for dramatic effect and it can also serve as an excellent design feature to enhance your home.
From the beginning, outdoor fountains were soley there to serve as functional elements. People in cities, towns and villages received their drinking water, as well as water to bathe and wash, via aqueducts or springs in the vicinity. Up until the 19th century, fountains had to be higher and closer to a water source, including aqueducts and reservoirs, in order to take advantage of gravity which fed the fountains. Artists thought of fountains as wonderful additions to a living space, however, the fountains also served to supply clean water and honor the designer responsible for building it. Bronze or stone masks of animals and heroes were commonly seen on Roman fountains. Throughout the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden planners incorporated fountains to create smaller depictions of the gardens of paradise. To demonstrate his dominance over nature, French King Louis XIV included fountains in the Garden of Versailles. Seventeen and 18 century Popes sought to exalt their positions by adding decorative baroque-style fountains at the point where restored Roman aqueducts arrived into the city.
The end of the 19th century saw the increase in usage of indoor plumbing to supply drinking water, so urban fountains were relegated to strictly decorative elements. Impressive water effects and recycled water were made possible by switching the force of gravity with mechanical pumps.
Contemporary fountains are used to adorn public spaces, honor individuals or events, and enrich recreational and entertainment events.
Classic Greece: The Origins of Outdoor Statue Design
Classic Greece: The Origins of Outdoor Statue Design Nearly all sculptors were paid by the temples to accentuate the elaborate columns and archways with renderings of the gods right up until the time period came to a close and countless Greeks began to think of their religion as superstitious rather than sacred, when it became more typical for sculptors to portray everyday men and women as well. Portraiture, which would be acknowledged by the Romans upon their annexation of Greek civilization became customary as well, and thriving families would often commission a portrayal of their forebears to be placed in immense familial tombs. A time of artistic progression, the use of sculpture and alternate art forms transformed throughout the Greek Classical period, so it is not entirely accurate to say that the arts served only one function. It may be the modern quality of Greek sculpture that grabs our attention these days; it was on a leading-edge practice of the classic world whether it was created for religious reasons or artistic pleasure.