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Public
Art Commissions  The
Royal Pump Rooms was opened in 1814 to supply its visitors with
spa water to drink, medical treatments and entertainment. This
building formed the hub of the town's social life and led to the
development of the prosperous new town of Leamington Spa in the
1820's -30's. Nearly two centuries later, during a series of public
consultations about the redevelopment of the Royal Pump Rooms,
it became clear that the public still felt very strongly about
the importance of the spa water and expected to be able to drink
it at the Royal Pump Rooms. It was decided that the best site
for the new water feature was in the entrance concourse, where
it would be accessible to the greatest number of visitors.
Eight sculptors who specialised in water features were shortlisted and three were interviewed in 1999 and the artist chosen was David Jacobson. In response to the brief he created a water feature which enables visitors to take the waters and demonstrates the key role water has played in the Leamington's history. Water cascades down the height of the sculpture past coded references to key dates and people in its history. These are intended to encourage visitors to discuss their meaning and to go and find the answers in the Library and Museum. The water feature was part funded by the Friends of Leamington Art Gallery. |
