Crown Fountain, Interactive fountain in Millennium Park, Chicago, United States
Crown Fountain is an interactive water feature in Millennium Park, Chicago, consisting of two glass brick towers standing roughly 50 feet tall. Water flows through nozzles into a shallow black granite basin that connects the towers and invites wading.
Spanish artist Jaume Plensa designed this installation with support from the Crown family, and it opened in July 2004. The project cost 17 million dollars and brought digital technology into a traditional public fountain format.
The video displays show faces of local residents that reflect everyday life in the city and are updated regularly. Visitors sometimes recognize neighbors or acquaintances on the screens, creating a direct connection to the community.
The installation operates from May through October and the water is shallow enough for wading. A circulation system beneath the basin recycles most of the water, keeping consumption low.
Behind the glass bricks are LED screens that display five-minute sequences where faces appear to spout water from their mouths. The nozzles are positioned to align with the lips of the projected faces, creating a playful illusion.
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