Bucket Fountain facts for kids
The Bucket Fountain is a really cool and famous kinetic sculpture in Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand. It's located in Cuba Mall, which is a fun part of Cuba Street. This unique fountain has a series of "buckets" that fill up with water. Once a bucket is full, it tips over, spilling its water into the buckets and pool below. The fountain was designed by Burren and Keen and was put up in 1969.
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What is the Bucket Fountain?
The Bucket Fountain is a special type of art called a kinetic sculpture. This means it's a sculpture that moves! It's not just a statue; it's an active, playful artwork that interacts with its surroundings. It's a well-known landmark in Wellington, attracting both locals and visitors.
How Does the Fountain Work?
The fountain works in a simple but clever way. Water is pumped up to the top buckets. As these buckets fill, they get heavier. When they reach a certain weight, they become unbalanced and tip over. This spills the water down to the buckets below, creating a chain reaction. The water eventually collects in a pool at the bottom, ready to be pumped back up again.
Fun Facts and Splashes
One of the most fun things about the Bucket Fountain is how it splashes! A lot of the water doesn't go neatly into the buckets below. Instead, it splashes out, sometimes getting people walking by a little wet. On windy days, which are common in Wellington, the water can spray several meters away. It's all part of the fountain's charm!
People sometimes add dishwashing soap to the water. This creates lots of bubbles that float all over Cuba Mall. This often happens on Friday and Saturday nights, making the fountain even more lively and bubbly.
A Little Upgrade
In 2003, the Wellington City Council made some changes to the fountain. They upgraded it to keep it working well. During this upgrade, some of the buckets were turned around. This was done on purpose so that they would tip their water directly onto the pavement. This adds to the playful and unpredictable nature of the fountain.
Images for kids
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A robot illustration, often used for kids' content.
