Hippocampos, Anyone?

Cultural factoids of the day.

Apropos the Neptune Fountain in Bremen, a friend writes: March 30th was Waldemar Otto's 80th birthday and there are exhibitions of his art all over the place.
You may find further information on http.//de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waldemar_Otto
There is a good photo of the fountain working. The bubbling water really does it. I think it is a great and way out piece of art.
About the horses: They are fabulous creatures, so called Hippocampos, that belonged to Neptune's and Poseidon's crew, the upper half horse and the other half either a fish-tail or a sea serpent.
The Bremen citizens were not amused when the fountain was installed in the Nineties. It seemed ominous and gloomy lacking hanseatic optimism.
They should have known when they comissioned him, as Waldemar Otto`s idea of mankind and his world has never been too optimistic.

For another look at a hippocampos: http://www.fotosearch.com/UNC295/u11609607/

That dolphin-torn, that gong-tormented sea.

One of the most compelling sights in the downtown area of Bremen Domsplatz is the Neptune Fountain. Many cities have a Neptune Fountain, but none like Bremen's. The fountain is not classical, and it presents a puzzle. The people and sea life all appear to be half-drowned. Or maybe they have been out of the water too long and are dying without the strength to climb back into the water. I could not determine which was the case. Neptune looked like Darth Vadar driving the hounds of hell. (His horses). And why did Neptune have horses? They looked so ill-behaved. This is the most compelling statuary I've seen for ages. The fountain was designed by Waldemar Otto. In spite of much internet research, I did not find a satisfying explanation for the subjugation and wretchedness of the people and animals.

This was heavy stuff, but good. And this is definitely a fountain unlike any you will find in the U.S.

Grapeshot, who is still ingrigued