Vienna fountain decried for 'ugliness', costs
While officials hailed the fountain's "extraordinary, reality-inspired" design for skilfully conveying a pivotal "sense of togetherness", critics took issue with its artistic properties, venting their anger online
The unusual fountain—featuring 33 humanoid sculptures seated in a circle—was created by the provocative Viennese artist group Gelitin after their design symbolising the "communal responsibility for water" as a precious resource won over the jury.
Image: Joe Klamar / AFP
A fountain in Austria's capital commemorating 150 years of Vienna's modern water system has drawn fierce criticism for its perceived "ugliness" and excessive costs.
The 1.8-million-euro ($1.9-million) fountain was commissioned by the city's left-wing government led by Social Democrat Mayor Michael Ludwig and inaugurated with President Alexander Van der Bellen on October 24.
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The unusual fountain—featuring 33 humanoid sculptures seated in a circle—was created by the provocative Viennese artist group Gelitin after their design symbolising the "communal responsibility for water" as a precious resource won over the jury.
While officials hailed the fountain's "extraordinary, reality-inspired" design for skilfully conveying a pivotal "sense of togetherness", critics took issue with its artistic properties, venting their anger online.
A post on X, formerly Twitter, by an account called Culture Critic that slammed the fountain's design and huge cost to taxpayers has since been viewed more than 7.6 million times.
