“In developing The New York City Waterfalls, I have tried to work with today’s complex notion of public spaces,” says Eliasson. “The Waterfalls appear in the midst of the dense social, environmental, and political tissue that makes up the heart of New York City. They will give people the possibility to reconsider their relationships to the spectacular surroundings, and I hope to evoke experiences that are both individual and enhance a sense of collectivity.”

The Public Art Fund, working in partnership with Tishman Construction Corporation, engaged a team of almost 200 design, engineering and construction professionals to build the Waterfalls. Construction scaffolding forms the backbone of the Waterfalls, and pumps cycle water from the East River to the top of each structure before it falls back into the River. Following the de-installation of the project in October, 90% of all the materials used to build The New York City Waterfalls will be re-used in subsequent construction projects. The Waterfalls have been designed to be sensitive to the environment and include: elements that protect fish and aquatic life, energy efficient LED lights, and energy purchased from renewable sources. The Waterfalls will be temporarily turned off in the event of extreme winds or storms, or if there is a power shortage due to hot weather.

A temporary park has been specially created on Pier 1, a site of the future Brooklyn Bridge Park, for viewing this project. New Yorkers and visitors from around the world can experience the Waterfalls from various vantage points and also by bike or by boat.
The map of vantage points, the boat schedule, suggested bike routes and downloadable podcasts (with Eliasson’s comments about the Waterfalls) are available on www.nyc.gov.
Besides the official boat tours (select number of free tickets available) the always free Governors Island and Staten Island Ferries also provide views of the Waterfalls on Governors Island and at the Brooklyn Piers.