Waterfall

Location - Market Place, western side / Artist - William Pye

The Waterfall, more formally known as the Market Place Water Feature, was installed in March 1995.

It was put in as part of a large programme of environmental improvements and pedestrian priority measures for the city centre. They included the 'Derby Promenade' street works, and brought changes to the whole of the Market Place; to Iron Gate and Sadler Gate; to Corn Market, and to St Peter's Street.

It's fair to say that ever since its unveiling the Waterfall has been Derby's most controversial piece of public art. Many people have said they don't like it, many have said they do. Likers and loathers have expressed strong opinions about it. It's always been very popular with children.

Martin Reid, Marketing Project Co-ordinator at Banks' Mill Studios, the complex of working studios for the creative industries on Bridge Street, said:

'The Waterfall in the Market Place is hard and unmistakably modern. No illusion of natural rocky pools, no classical pastiche. It seems to me more like an elemental machine, engineered out of stone and metal and water and air.

 

From Tarzan to the Lord of the Rings, spaces hidden behind waterfalls have a special appeal. On a sunny summers day, the curved passage behind the Waterfall entices children to explore, running and screaming and laughing, egging each other on as passers by, corseted in suits, smile on enviously.

In winter, when the water stops to avoid icing the Market Place, the structure of the Waterfall stands bare and functionless, as if waiting until a committee can formally declare that winter is over, and the water can start falling again.'

For another interpretation of the Waterfall, please see our "Heritage in Public Art Circular Walk".

The Derby Public Art Strategy sets the scene for future public artworks in the city.

For further information please contact the Built Environment Team:

Telephone 01332 255060  Minicom 01332 256666  Fax 01332 255989  e-mail urban.design@derby.gov.uk