Since 1871 Cincinnatians have viewed the Tyler Davidson Fountain, in its present location at Fountain Square and in its previous incarnation a block away at Government Square, as a symbol of Cincinnati. The Fountain, also known as the "Genius of Water" has presided over nearly 130 years of Cincinnati gatherings — from wartime victory celebrations and Christmas ice skating to summertime brown bag lunches. When green plywood barricades sprung up around our beloved fountain, the public backlash was palpable.
Enter civic minded artists Michael Burns of MuralPop.com and Erin Holubeck photographer Mic Chandler, and a solution was born. Burns and Holubeck approached Willie Carden Jr., Facilities Superintendent Manager, with a proposal for a decorative and informative mural to encircle the fountain until the restoration could be completed. On May 25, City Council voted 6-2 to accept the donation and approve the design.
After extensive research and armed with historical photographs compliments of the Cincinnati Historical Society and excerpts of the dedication speech Henry Probasco delivered at the Fountain's christening, Burns and Holubeck designed a mural that is both aesthetically pleasing and educational. The mural incorporates fountain and historical images, fountain history and the fountain itself in the design. The design is meant to flow around the fountain, with each mural panel leading to the next. From some viewpoints the mural and the fountain actually seem to interact. The information contained in the design serves as a history lesson about this beloved landmark, from its design inception to the current restoration project. Portals have been incorporated on the north and west walls to allow viewers to see the fountain and watch as the restoration progresses. You May Contact the MuralPop team @ 800-398-WRAP or visit www.muralpop.com They are located in Beautiful Downtown Cincinnati right next to the Aronoff Center.
