You may remember last week on Good Fences I gave you a glimpse of a sculpture through the railings and told you I knew a story about it. Now I can reveal it to you.
When I passed the railings first and spied the sculpture, I only took a few shots but on my way back I went into the small garden to have a better look at it.
Anna
Livia is a bronze monument located in Croppies Memorial Park in Dublin,
Ireland. Designed
by the sculptor Éamonn O'Doherty, the monument was commissioned by
businessman Michael Smurfit, in memory of his father, for the Dublin Millennium
celebrations in 1988.
This is a shot of it as it was when it was sited on O'Connell Street, just opposite the grand old Greshem Hotel.
The
monument is a personification of the River Liffey which runs through the city. Anna Livia Plurabelle is the name of a character
in James Joyce's Finnegans Wake who also embodies the river. In the monument's
original location, the river was represented as a young woman sitting on a
slope with water flowing past her. Dubliners nicknamed it the Floozie in the
Jacuzzi, a nickname that was encouraged by the sculptor.
The monument was removed from its site on O'Connell Street in 2001 to make room for the Spire of Dublin. In late February 2011, partly reworked and refurbished, the statue was relocated to Croppies Memorial Park next to the Liffey, near Heuston station.
These are some of the shots I got on my return.
Then I saw a gardener and I asked him if the fountain was ever turned on. He explained there was a leak and it was turned off because the public might slip. He saw my camera and asked if I would like him to turn it on for a shot.
I was delighted and these are the shots that I was able to get.
When my nephew meet up with me again, he said no one had seen the fountain on for quite a while!
I hope you enjoyed hearing this story and seeing the reflections in the water surrounding the Floozie in the Jacuzzi!
Thank you for visiting and also for those that left comments.
It is a grand sculpture. I think I prefer the original version but the new setting is fine.
ReplyDeleteWhat a delightful sculpture - and how nice of the gardener. Thank you - and him.
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting story Margaret and a very unusual sculpture. So glad the kind gardener turned on the fountain for you :)
ReplyDeleteCool looking sculpture and a lovely fountain! Wonderful series of photos, Margaret! Happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteFascinating sculpture Margaret and beautifully photographed.
ReplyDeleteVery pretty! Thanks for providing the story.
ReplyDelete~
How kind of the gardener to provide you with this opportunity! What a lovely sculpture, but it really loses the whole meaning when the water is no longer cascading around her. I like the original design as she really looks relaxed and part of the river. The second design makes her look like she's tired of holding that pose ... what a shame she's stuck in a silent pond rather than a frothy river. Wendy
ReplyDeleteWhoever modeled for this Floozie must have great abs ... do you know how hard it would be to hold youself in that position, oh my! Well it was worth it because it is a beautiful work of art with a great history to go with it. Not to mention the wonderful reflections it creats. I am sorry they had to keep moving it around. I thought it's original home suited it the best. Another great post, Margaret.
ReplyDeleteAndrea @ From The Sol
P.S. Did you e-mail me? I was never able to find it and I don't want to leave it unanswered..
HI Andrea Yes I did send you an email and just now i have sent you another. I love your comment today. Made me laugh. Many thanks.
DeleteQuite a treat for you I can imagine . . . wonderful photos . . .
ReplyDeleteglad he turned on the fountain so we could see her resting on the jets. an interesting sculpture, for sure.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks to you and a special thanks to the gardener from America.
ReplyDeleteA fine set of pictures and an interesting background and history of this fountain. I'm glad the gardener turned the fountain on for you.
ReplyDeleteThat's so cool. It appears the water fountain is holding her up. Very nice!
ReplyDeleteA great story there Margaret. You turned on the charm and the gardener turned on the fountain. I like it!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful sculpture. Fantastic reflections in the pool.
ReplyDeleteinteresting water art work. :)
ReplyDeleteStriking and beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWell, blow me down, what a beautiful sculpture. And the man switched it on, just for you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous sculpture! How wonderful that the fountain was turned on for you! You got marvellous shots!
ReplyDeleteLucky for you that he turned the water on....wonderful photos and an amazing piece of sculpture.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous sculpture! Your photos are wonderful:-)
ReplyDeleteSimply gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteThe last time I saw a similar statue was in Saint Louis, Missouri.
Beautiful!
Peace :)
Wonderful photos...very nice sculpture composition for a water fountain...Excellent shots as well as story...
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely fascinating! And I love her story. I am so glad he turned the water on for you, because it really looks like the water is bearing her up!
ReplyDeleteLove your title, Floozie in the Jacuzzi... ha ha ha.. IF I had to sit in 'that' position for long, I would be in serious pain... Having the fountain working did help... I love to be in a Jacuzzi and let the water hit my back.. Feels so good!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.. Interesting sculpture for sure.
Hugs,
Betsy
I love everything about this post Margaret! Wonderful pictures, wonderful story ... love that the sculptor didn't mind (in fact encouraged) the people's name for his work~ Adore that the gardener turned the fountain on for you (he recognized a genius photographer!). And I love the sculpture. Tthough I don't know Joyce's work (being the undereducated person I am), I can well believe that this sculpture embodies the flow of the river. In one way. And in another way of looking at her, she looks so darn happy and comfortable in her "jacuzzi".
ReplyDeleteOh My!!! What a fabulous and unique sculpture and your photographs are GORGEOUS♡♡♡ Our city have many sculptures, I should introduce them more p;)
ReplyDeleteps. Thank you very much for your thoughtful comment.
Sending you Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan, xoxo Miyako*
Love the nickname! She sure has long legs. At first I thought she was a mermaid but when you got closer with the camera, there were toes.
ReplyDelete"Floozie in the Jacuzzi" :-) Great shots! You were lucky to be able to photograph the working fountain.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful place! Gorgeous reflections!
ReplyDeleteWhat a place and I would love to be held up like that, wouldn't you?
ReplyDeleteBeautiful reflections. And I love that fountain. :)
ReplyDelete