and i’m curious about how this will effect the ecology of the river as well, since it disrupts everything not to mention the added expected waste additional tourist would create??

and how would that affect the integrity of the bridge?

do these “artists” even think about that kind of stuff?

it sounds pretty useless to me, certainly a big waste of money and resources, but what do i know?

Seocnd world? You mean Soviet Communists?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_World

It sounds insensitive, but looking at history things that inspire are more important to our humanity than empty bellies and suppurating wounds.

OK, it looks good. Not good, it looks great in fact, but… aren’t we talking of the lack of energy sources?

Even if the water gets pumped from the same river it falls on, there’s a lot of energy wasted in pumping it, something we, as a species, can’t afford.

I was very surprised at how negative some people are about public art. Really grinchy, to be honest. I live on the edge of poor, but I don’t begrudge a cent that goes toward making something wild and fantastic like this. If it was the last dollar they needed, I would give my last dollar.

Even if it doesn’t ring my bell, I think it says something great about people when we can all chip in for something COOL and magnificent and what-the-f*ck-is-that?

Invention, non sequitur, and beauty are all part of human need. Why are you reading blogs instead of volunteering at the homeless shelter?

This inanity, however, is being underwritten by NYC’s Public Art Fund — which, despite its boasting of being a private fund, accepts government funds seized from unwilling taxpayers.

All this while Blooperberg warns that the city is approaching fiscal difficulties.

A pox on all their houses … and their waterfalls.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Level_Bridge_%28Edmonton%29

“and I’m curious about how this will effect the ecology of the river as well, since it disrupts everything not to mention the added expected waste additional tourist would create??”

there is probably not a lot of ecology in those parts of the east and Harlem rivers since the cleaning efforts are near their end and the cleaning effects of aerating the water should improve the water quality.

“and how would that affect the integrity of the bridge? do these “artists” even think about that kind of stuff?”

the artist probably does, but more importantly the city engineer that has to approve the project does.

and as far as the notion that art funds should go to feed the “hungry” the old adage “man does not live on bread alone” can be applied.

Hi, the wikipedia article you linked to says the term “2nd world” has largely fallen out of use since the end of the Cold War. So I think now it’s safe to use it to refer to a country that has been upgraded from dirt poor to merely poor. So let it be written.

But aside from this, all art takes energy to produce. Sure, in this case the energy requirements may be more up front and obvious, but without expending energy you couldn’t cast bronze, fire ceramics, produce pigments, shoot film, make music. Surely you aren’t suggesting that the human race abandon all artistic endeavors, simply to save a little energy?

Fuck art

And EVALISA- you rock. I agree. Why the hell not?

There are a LOT of ways our government wastes its money. Public art is not one of the number one ways.

People who get angry about its existence probably have a grudge about art in general. All that…postulating, and thinking, and making points and illuminating themes and stuff. Reminds them of their high school English teachers too much. Who they hated, for being ‘stuck-up’. It challenges them, so it makes their head hurt. They hate it.

Thinking and imagining and creating (some of the highest elements of the human mind) are for VAGABONDS, slackers and hippies! Pshaw! Only practical things are okay to spend money on! Like war. Lots of war. And sports stadiums, and pork barrel projects. But not art. Does another pansy scarf-wearing ”smart person” really need our hard-earned tax cash!! Really now!!

If money was really the reason people got so worked up about this stuff they would find something more substantial to complain about than public arts funding. Ever look at what percentage of the Federal Discretionary Budget is spent on the NEA? It would probably pay for about two seconds of our operations in Iraq.

Splendid idea! Exercising machines never works for me because I feel like a hamster. I prefer jogging and hiking, where I see some fruits of my labours as I go.

Yes, you can find plenty of that in Manhattan, but why ask for it here?

Now it doesn’t look so bad.

-homeless fed and have a purpose, plus great exercise!
-bio-friendly art project

-more empty doorways to relieve yourself in after stumbling out of the pub, or to get a quicky from a hooker in after those snooty NYC girls snub you.

Looks like an interesting enough project.