Water in public spaces: show fountains

As part of our series of articles on water in public spaces, we’re including this article on “show fountains“. By this we mean iconic fountains that offer projected water displays, together with light and sound effects, in what are captivating shows with the city as a backdrop, attracting crowds of people.

Within the category of show fountains, cybernetic and musical fountains stand out for their ability to synchronously combine technology, art and urbanism. After all, these fountains offer unique multi-sensory experiences that transform urban environments. These fountains are further classified as choreographic, interactive, digital or hybrid.

The idea of combining water and music dates back to the 18th century with the “fontaines musicales” of European baroque gardens. These used hydraulic mechanisms to synchronise the flow of water with live music. However, technological progress in the 20th century allowed the development of more sophisticated cybernetic fountains. In the 1920s, German inventor Otto Przystawik devised a system to perfectly synchronise the beauty of water with music and dance. Today, these much more advanced fountains use computerised systems to coordinate music, water movements and lights. They are equipped with high-pressure pumps, coloured LED lights and digital projectors. In many cases, these fountains allow the audience to interact with them, therefore providing personalised immersive experiences.

The advantages of show fountains over more conventional fountains are as follows:

• A tourist attraction and landmark: fountain shows usually become tourist destinations that boost the local economy and act as centres of socialisation.
• Urban revitalisation: fountain shows contribute to the revitalisation of urban spaces by attracting residents, visitors and tourists.
• Entertainment: they serve the well-being of citizens, as they entertain and have a stimulating effect on those watching the spectacle.

Let us now take a look at some outstanding examples of the world’s spectacular fountains:

• Bellagio Fountains in Las Vegas: with more than a thousand water jets, they combine music and lights in a breathtaking spectacle.
• Dubai Fountain: a spectacular fountain famous for its powerful jets, which reach up to 150 metres high, as well as being one of the largest fountains in the world.
• Chicago’s Crown Fountain is a spectacular fountain that integrates digital projections and cascading waterfalls into a unique visual experience.
• Magic Fountain of Montjuïc in Barcelona: since 1929, this fountain has fascinated spectators with its combinations of water and light.