The leader of the council says several options are being explored
The structure itself was influenced and inspired by the fountains of the Villa d’Este in Italy(Image: Supplied)
The artist behind Derby city centre’s switched-off waterfall has weighed in on the debate about whether it should be reactivated or moved elsewhere.
Acclaimed sculptor William Pye designed the cascade/waterfall structure in Derby’s Market Place before it was installed back in 1995, seeking inspiration from the fountains of the Villa d’Este in Italy.
It became a city centre attraction for families with youngsters, who often returned sodden from a day running through the cascading water, but it was switched off for the final time in 2019.
Water hasn’t trickled down the scultpure in more than half a decade(Image: Derby Telegraph)
Amid plans for a “new era” in Market Place, which were shared in the form of CGI images by the council in January, council leader Nadine Peatfield has now offered a glimmer of hope to those wishing to see the sculpture flowing once again.
While no decision has been made, Cllr Peatfield said: “The challenges involved in maintaining the fountain, together with the high cost of running it, have previously made it unviable to bring it back into operation.
“However, we are exploring several options for its future, which include bringing it back into use as it is, improving it in its current location or moving it to somewhere else in the city.
“Any decisions about the future of the waterfall will be in consultation with its artist.”
Derbyshire Live contacted Mr Pye and put Cllr Peatfield’s suggestions to him, giving the artist – who also designed prominent pieces in Salisbury Cathedral, Norway, Gatwick Airport and Seville – a chance to have his say.
“It’s probably prompted by the council being frightened of bad publicity, frightened of people saying, ‘Council dumping yet another public sculpture,'” Mr Pye said.
“But ultimately, it’s good news that they are taking an interest in putting it back in use.
“Obviously, I’d like to see it reinstated where it was, but of course, I haven’t seen it in decades, so I don’t know what sort of building work has gone on around it. I think it will need a huge clean regardless.”
William Pye with his Millennium Square sculpture in Bristol(Image: SWNS)
The 87-year-old says, unlike with many of the other sculptures he has created throughout his long career, he was never invited back to Derby to look at the cascade.
He previously told Derbyshire Live that not having the sculpture switched on again after all these years was “very sad”, adding that it was a “major project that cost a lot of money at the time – and the city itself was very proud to commission and build the cascade”.
Ideally, Mr Pye wants to see the sculpture stay in its current position on Speakers’ Corner, but says he’d ultimately be happy for it to be moved if there was no alternative.
“If it had to be moved somewhere else, and there was no alternative, I wouldn’t be against it,” he said. “But it’s important to remember that I designed the sculpture with its current position in mind.
“I wanted it to radiate from the square it sits in and what was exciting for me was that the public could walk behind the waterfall.
“I thought that was a really important aspect of it, not just something that people can look at, but something people can interact with.
“But the landscaping and buildings around it may have changed in the last 30 years, so if that’s the case, and it doesn’t appear as it used to, then maybe a change of location would suit it.”
Mr Pye started his career as a sculptor working mainly in stainless steel and cast bronze and, since the 1980s, water has become an integral element of most of his work.
He is inspired by the extraordinary qualities of water and fascinated by the natural laws of hydrostatics and how these can be manipulated.
His work is found in public places, private gardens and with corporate clients internationally.
William had no idea the impact that his work had on the people of Derby, many of whom will have treasured memories of running behind or beneath the waterfall while their parents and grandparents watched on.
“I had no idea it gave people so much pleasure,” Mr Pye told Derbyshire Live back in March last year. “To think that so many people have enjoyed my work in such a way is an honour. It’s thrilling, to be honest.
“I just don’t understand why they haven’t made the effort [to keep it running].
“I’m sure there is a level of upkeep that is required to keep it running, but it cannot be that expensive – and the benefits of keeping it running are surely worth the small cost.”