Quick. You're designing a public space. You need a focal point, something fun and attention-getting to slap down in the center to take people's attention away from the fact that the entire purpose of your space is to squeeze money out of them. So what's it gonna be?
Did you say fountain?
Well, congratulations. You're boring. The good news is you may qualify for a position at the Grove. If you also have the bright idea to play cheesy songs like "That's Amore" during periodic water shows, then you're hired! We here at LAist love a good fountain as much as the next blog, the operative word being "good". The Trevi fountain is tops with us. Fountain Avenue, fountain pens, we love 'em. But the fountain at the Grove, while certainly pretty, just doesn't possess quite the same imagination as the rest of the Grove. The trolley, for example, may be silly, but silly trumps blah any day.
Watching a few jets of water slosh around to bad classical music is the equivalent of watching synchronized swimming without the people. And it's the kind of kitsch that belongs in Vegas, probably the only place in the world where tacky is synonymous with hip. In LA, tacky is just tacky. The rest of the man-made pond at the Grove is beautifully designed, and it would've been a charming oasis if not for the tourist-baiting, lowest-common-denominator squirt show at the center. Sorry, fountain, but you're part of the Bad Grove.
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I hate this fountain. It makes me have to go to the bathroom.
I agree with you, but have you ever seen the hordes of tourists who love the fountain? On weekends you can barely get out of the parking garage because so many children and tourists are watching this pygmy version of the Bellagio. So I think the developers got their money's worth.
Completely disagree. Love the double decker bus, cobblestones, and especially the fountains with the "Bellagio Jr." soundtrack. I think it is the best job of commercial mall theming in L.A. beats the living hell out of Hollywood/Highland.
Urban designers and architects have used water features for centuries as sources of hydration, visual anchors, and people-magnets, usually with magnificent results. (e.g. Some of the world's best public spaces: just about everywhere in Italy, Place des Vosges, Bethesda Fountain in Central Park, the list goes on...) So fountains aren't at all boring in and of themselves, and the one at the Grove actually “works” in a specific sense. The Grove's (and Bellagio's etc.) psycho fountain effectively demonstrates certain design and socio-psychological tenets because people do gravitate to it, even if the rest of us dread its scheduled "dance" routine. Marketing studies probably show that it makes the average fountain gazer want to spend more money, too.
I won't dispute that the fountain does what it was intended to do. Most people seem to love it, so I'm sure the developers won't lose any sleep over my cranky opinion.
Personally, I just find it tacky, and the rest of the Grove is so well-designed that having to hear that crappy music and see the cheesy synchronized water sprays kind of wrecks it for me. It reminds you that where you are is just another tourist trap.
Fear not. I'll be moving onto Hollywood & Highland soon...
I agree with you about the fountain, and I love these Good Grove/Bad Grove entries. It's perfect for helping me get my head around both the eerie appeal of the place and that uneasy pit in my stomach while I'm there...
I love the fountain. I bring NY friends to the Grove JUST TO SEE THE FOUNTAIN. They love it. Its art. Its water sculture, okay its a bit over the top...buutt....
Tacky is as tacky does and LA is tacky. Embrace it. I would have hoped that LAist could take the fountain for kitcsch value, while simultaneously realizing that LA gave birth to cheesy dreamscapes like Las Vegas. It was invented here! However, I dont like when they play 'Thats Amore' or "The Last Dance." Time for some new music, for sure. But please, leave the fountain be.
PS - I cant wait for christmas time and the fake snow...LET IT SNOW LET IT SNOW LET IT SNOW.