Tim Noble and Sue Webster - Electric Fountain

Electric Fountain

The 35 foot tall ‘Electric Fountain’ (right), constructed from steel, neon tubing and 3,390 LED bulbs, was exhibited at Rockefeller Plaza, New York, February 2008.

This monumental work is clearly reminiscent of the Bellagio fountains in Vegas and, much like ‘Toxic Schizophrenia (Hyper Version)’, it draws from their first light sculpture, ‘Excessive Sensual Indulgence’, a pop fountain with the impression of flowing water created from the use of lights flashing in a chasing effect.

‘Electric Fountain’ (see 'External links' below for video clip) represents the artist's take on the world’s oldest form of public art, the fountain. Said Webster: “Electric Fountain mimics the tradition of a fountain as a monument found in public squares around the world, but its magic lies in the emulation of light where water should be.” The fountain can be seen as both a celebration of contemporary culture and an ambiguous comment on the nature of consumer society, embodying themes that are often present in the duo’s work.