Arethusa : a fountain through sculpture

Abstract

The major work for this thesis is the creation of a sculpture, constructed as an independently running fountain. The sculpture is composed of ceramic figures, and is installed at the M.I.T. Student Center Library. The written paper begins with a statement about water and traces the myth of Arethusa, the subject of my fountain sculpture, through references in Greek lyrics. The next section selects Presocratic thought as one basis for ideas about water and continues with discussion of poetic allusions to fountains survey of selected public fountains from several historical periods is undertaken to illustrate the change in sculptural design and purpose of these structures through history. Next the sculptural and environmental aspects of making this thesis fountain are discussed, with accompanying photographs. A brief chapter of my own poetry is included as well.