Tel Aviv’s Agam Fountain in disrepair

By | July 13, 2006

My family and I just returned from a two-week trip to Israel, during which we spent a couple of days in the Tel Aviv area.

While we were there, we stopped by Dizengoff Square to see the Agam Fountain.  The last time I saw it was in the summer of 1986, shortly after it was finished, and I have fond memories of it, so I was looking forward to seeing it again and showing it to the kids.

Boy, were we disappointed.

The fountain’s structure is faded and grimy.  It spins much more slowly than it did in 1986, and the machinery groans and sqeaks continuously.  Most of the lights ringing the fountain are burnt out and haven’t been replaced, and those that are still lit seem dimmer than they were before.  The music that accompanies the fountain is barely audible — only one of the speakers is in use, it isn’t loud enough, and it doesn’t sound very good.

In short, it’s an embarrassment.

How could the Tel Aviv municipality let it fall into this state.  how could the artist, Yaacov Agam, let it fall into this state?  When the fountain was constructed,was a fund established to pay for its long-term upkeep?

If there were someone who cared enough to set up a “friends of the fountain” foundation or some such thing and to solicit donations to pay for its restoration and upkeep, I’d support it.  I wonder if such a thing exists (I couldn’t find one on the Web).

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Share

3 thoughts on “Tel Aviv’s Agam Fountain in disrepair

  1. Jenny

    Thank you for your response!
    I will go watching that video.
    Thank you!

    Reply
  2. jik Post author

    The flame shoots up from the precise center of the top of the fountain, while water sprays around it. Search for “agam fountain” on YouTube and watch the videos.

    Reply
  3. Jenny

    Excuse me. Can I ask some questions about this fountain?
    I have to do a report on this fountain but I do not have the chance to go to Israel (I live in Taiwan.) and see it. All I can do is search information about this fountain on the Internet.

    I read that “In Tel Aviv, Israel, you’ll find Agam’s Fire and Water Fountain. At night, flames come out of the top through water. ”

    Are the “flames” really “fire?” How could “fire” comes out of the water?
    Could you help me out? Thank you very much!

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *