water art/water games
WORKS AND CONCEPTS FOR THE PUBLIC SPACE
PRATER NEW
Prater new
Concept for the amusement park “Prater”
In the course of the renewal of the famous amusement park “Wiener Wurstelprater”,
the concept created by Project leophard in 2003 was awarded a prize.
It includes a pavilion of water and a water pleasure garden with many wondrous and interact able objects.
MY PROPOSAL FOR THE BRAINSTORMING OF “PRATER NEW”
A pavilion of water mysteries
On the one hand remembers the international year of water 2003 and its essential role as as basis of life.
On the other hand the reference of water for the city Vienna could be conducted in a tourist context.
The pavilion should showcase this amazing and mysterious element, by 14 water wonders representing the appetite of playing and researching with the elementary forces.
WATER AS AN ARTIST AND ACTOR
On the contrary of easy entertainment, quick thrill and sensational marketing, traditions of the original “Prater” are rather subtle, profound and mysterious (maybe even slightly disturbing).
They are drawing spectators and participants into their realm, inflicting lasting impressions, sometimes even sheer awe.
ANUALLY PERMANENT OPERATION
In the cold time of the year, the pavilion could be additionally used as a venue:
Movies, seminars, public presentations, conventions and symposia, centred on water could lead to Vienna being an international venue for “water questions”,
because regrettably in more and more countries, the water shortage is becoming more and more a question of surviving. The wrong handling of resources could lead to an international fight over water, and political instabilities.
On the other hand
It could be a forum for the growing interest of “living water” (“Granderwasser “or the findings of Viktor Schauberger) and concerning its latest developments in the field of biological engineering.
Since the flood of summer 2002, the question of the attributes of water and its natural regulation is in the public interest.
Naturally, also water workshops for children and school classes (as a counterweight to the virtualisation of the juvenile world) could be an essentially part of the “winter operation”
Proposal for a water pleasure garden as a romantic example, with a pavilion of mysteries at the centre, as well as a flying pouring machine.
Avenues with treetops close-knit together, filtering the daylight and opening themselves, allowing the light to cast bright spots at the surface.
The garden offers several water attractions as well as several picturesque places, such as the stone tables and banks, accessible lawn areas and contemplative corners.
The interaction area is covered by opaque hedges and a transition area, shielded from the enchanted part of the garden.
A tavern of mysteries houses the 14 water wonders and a water music room, is connected to a workshop, which on the one hand will be used by technicians for repair works and on the other hand, will be accessible for students, teachers and people interested in courses and seminars on the issue of “ metal and water “.
The deliverables of this several days lasting event could become part of the water sculpture garden, or be present as a temporary special showcase.
The essential part of the garden is the big water surface, home of the “aqua max”, but also the navigable waters for journeys with a so called put put boat, which needs no engine, and is solely powered by the repercussion force of steam produced by the burning of logs.
This boat could also be the project of the course “metal and water” by students of technical schools.
On rainy days, the visitors will be handed umbrellas, which have to be returned at the exit.
On rainy seasons, additional object are starting to operate: The rain sound machine, which catches rain water in several different ways, uses it to produce gentle sounds. This object could also be part of the metal and water workshop.
The main attraction of the interaction area will be a pilot able pouring machine, in form of a fantastic, electric powered, dual engine helicopter, which is connected to a 10m long metal arm with a counterweight on the other side, and can be flown in circles, with passengers.
The flight is not possible by hydraulic means, but solely by the rotational speed of the two rotor blades, which’s speed is controlled by two pilots. Hydraulic elements are only used for security measurements (cushioning) and speed control.
For a small donation to regions suffering from water shortage, everybody is allowed to conduct navigation flights over a botanical area, for watering by use of the helicopter.
In the winter, the enchantment of the garden can be made possible by use of a snow machine, therefore makes all kind of experiences and plays with frozen water possible, independent of regional snow falls.
In the cold time of the year, it is also possible to create ice blocks independent of natural frost, by the use of an included cooling room, which can be shaped into sculptures by artists, and finally create an internally illuminated ice sculpture copse.
The watching of the creation of such sculptures also provides an adventure and, the possibility of attending courses for learning to shape ice blocks is possible.