The Art of Outdoor Wall Fountains

Throughout time, artists have strived to imitate nature in their work. The flow and energy in nature has inspired both art and technology. The universal appeal of nature along with its therapeutic effects has always drawn people to it. It has been hypothesized that, since the first humans survived in the great outdoors, the natural landscape has been hardwired, so to speak, within us. Whether people live in cities or in more natural settings, most of seek the solitude of nature now and again to sustain our well being.



The ancient aqueduct systems of Rome and Greece, and the innovations in siphoning water that followed, led to the evolution of modern-day fountains. While the first sophisticated water gathering systems were used solely for practical reasons such as for drinking, bathing, washing and irrigation, the appeal of flowing water soon found its way into more advanced art pieces owned by royalty and other wealthy individuals. Outdoor baths eventually came equipped with jetting streams of water. Intricate gardens were accented with large, rectangular-shaped ponds that included these water jets.



Artists soon found that fountains were an exciting medium to work with as solid objects could be used to transform the path of water producing vibrant, dynamic displays.



Fountains have been inspirational to writers and philosophers, including to Sigmund Freud who said, "The conscious mind may be compared to a fountain playing in the sun and falling back into the great subterranean pool of subconscious from which it rises."



Jalal ad-Din Rumi wrote, "Your are quaffing drink from a hundred fountains: whenever any of these hundred yields less, your pleasure is diminished. But when the sublime fountain gushes from within you, no longer need you steal from the other fountains."



These days, an increasing number of people wish to bring the natural beauty of moving water into their private backyards or gardens. Outdoor wall fountains offer a perfect solution to those with minimal space or who wish to add a simple accent piece that brings an extra bit of tranquility to their home. An outdoor wall fountain can transform an exterior landscape with the sound and sight of flowing water. This has the added benefit of drowning out less desirable sounds. There are a tremendous variety of outdoor wall fountains available to personalize any patio, garden, courtyard or backyard. These dynamic art pieces often become an enjoyable focal point of a unique outdoor setting.



Polly Godwin has been an expert on outdoor wall fountains since 1998 and is the owner of DesignerFountains.com, a company specializing in the highest quality garden fountains.