Hey They Turned On The Fountain!

This fountain is formally called the Swann Memorial Fountain but informally, it's the "Fountain of the Three Rivers" (A. S. Calder, 1924). Schuylkill, Delaware, and Wissahickon (2 rivers and a creek) are allegorized by the human figures. It borrows its general idea from the 17th Century Fountain of the Four Rivers in Rome, on whose rim I once loved to sit as a student there. Today was the first time this year that I've seen it turned on, and I must say again that it brings Logan Circle to life. Some years ago, the city banned swimming in its pool, but budget cuts have chased away whatever security people were enforcing that (and nobody cares anyway). I've been by here in the middle of a good many nights and cooled my feet in the water while others splashed and played. In fact when the pumps are shut off, around one in the morning, those present all say "Oooh!"

This blip is more touristy than I usually prefer, but it gives me the chance to remember how much I appreciate public artwork.