Narcisus Fountain

Frisenda Architects

@frisenda.architects / https://frisenda.com/

Madison Square Park, Nueva York

“The Narcissus Fountain is a public installation inspired by the Greek myth of Narcissus, exploring themes of self-reflection, vanity, and the relationship between water and identity. Situated in the heart of Manhattan, this pavilion serves as a contemplative experience, inviting visitors to engage with their own reflections while considering the ephemeral nature of beauty and the dangers of self-obsession.

From the exterior, the pavilion appears to be suspended behind a veil of falling water, giving the illusion that it is supported solely by the water itself.

At scheduled intervals, the water curtain parts at designated bridges, inviting visitors to step through and explore the interior. The combination of mirrored surfaces and flowing water continuously reshapes the spatial experience, blurring the boundary between reality and reflection.

Inside, visitors are enveloped in a quiet, introspective space—visually and acoustically separated from the outside world. The only connection to the surroundings is a large oculus that opens to the sky and frames the nearby buildings and trees.

As visitors move through the space, their reflections become distorted, fragmented, or multiplied by the angles of the mirrors, challenging the idea of a singular, fixed identity. This interplay of reflections emphasizes the concept of vanity — the desire for a perfect image that is always just out of reach..“

*text by the authors