2014/2.1, February 5 — Water-Draped Sculptures, Pond Practicalities, a Palm Springs Oasis and more

January 22, 2014 www.watershapes.com

ESSENTIAL

On Sails of Stone

Through 35 years of crafting watershapes ranging from small fountains to large waterfalls and streams, landscape artist Frederick L. Gregory always sought to harmonize the primordial splendors of nature with modern times and settings. Today, he sculpts granite and creates his harmonies by deftly merging the asymmetry of the Japanese garden with the sensual abstractions of tropical Brazilian landscapes — compositions that often involve the mesmerizing qualities of water.

This article, originally published in April 2004, has been digitized for all readers. Click here to see the full text and enlarge the images to study the craftsmanship in detail.

FEATURE ARTICLE

The Acid Test

It’s a phenomenally helpful substance when used at recommended levels to stabilize the chlorine in outdoor pools. But some say cyanuric acid can harm plaster finishes, which prompts Kim Skinner to defend it here against what he sees as an unwarranted charge. [more]

PONDCRAFT 101

Sealing the Deal

It’s the home stretch for this series of videos (both literally and figuratively) as Eric Triplett wrestles the liner into place, attaches the faceplate to the waterfall/filter unit and makes some crucial adjustments needed to complete the pond’s most riveting visual detail. [more]

WATERSHAPES CLASSIC

Planting Pains

Back in February 2009, Bruce Zaretsky wrote with great agitation about the state of the art in landscape architecture, design and contracting — and a trend that had him keenly concerned about the future. [more]

TECHNICAL BRIEFING

When Pools Crack

When watershape shells fail, it can take an expert’s eye to pinpoint the cause. But you don’t need an engineering degree to avoid trouble in the first place, says Ron Lacher, who outlines how he investigates failure cases here while suggesting ways to avoid common problems. [more]

TRAVELOGUE

Spirited Waters

Palm Springs, Calif., hosts an unusual sculpture that artfully moves water through the hot desert air. Devised by David Curt Morris, ‘The Rainmaker’ celebrates the life-giving power of water in the driest of climates — a great place to visit, cool off, relax and play. [more]

Digging Luxury Underground:

Wealthy Brit to Build $16 million
Basement for Swimming Pool

[more]

WATERSHAPES WORLD

Penny-Wise, Fountain Foolish

A story out of New Zealand underscores the importance of planning ahead and attending to details on the drawing board, writes Jim McCloskey — especially when the problems that might result have such obvious (and even dire) consequences. [more]

Now at WaterShapes.com . . .

While supplies last, you can purchase one of 6 available complete, mint-condition, 131-issue sets of WaterShapes, a print publication that set the tone for development of the art and craft of watershaping from February 1999 until July 2011. For ordering information, click here!

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

Backyard Pool Converted into
Underground Marijuana Farm

Many water-related stories have been in the news of late — including reports connected to the three questions below.

1. According to sfgate.com, police in a suburb of one large U.S. city busted a marijuana-growing operation inside a backyard swimming pool. The report says a concrete roof was built across the top of the pool, and the pool’s interior was connected
to a bedroom in the house via a tunnel. The bust was made in a suburb of what city?

a. San Francisco b. Los Angeles c. Miami d. Atlanta

2. The Web site mirror.co.uk reports that two 31-year-old male tourists visiting Tenerife, largest of the Canary Islands, were injured when they “dived into an empty swimming pool for a midnight swim.” One “reveler” suffered a sprained ankle; the other fractured his skull and is “seriously ill in hospital.” What nationality are the men?

a. British b. Irish c. Australian d. Canadian

3. This year’s Beijing International Swimming Pool SPA Bath Show will be held April 1-3, 2014 at the China International Exhibition Centre. What number show will this one be?

a. Second annual b. Third annual c. Sixth annual d. Ninth annual

To find out how many you got right, click here.