Cascade Fountain

A series of watery steps form a fountain in Cincinnati's Ault Park. Looking down at it from the pavilion steps, I followed the broken light cast here and there by the rippling water. Dedicated in 1930, the fountain heralds the Art Deco style that would take over the Midwest, culminating in silver-topped skyscrapers and train stations that look like radios. In this fountain, art nouveau's delicate whiplash curves have been smoothed out into sturdier shapes that refer more to compasses and wheels than to growing vines. I remembered how this fountain and the pavilion behind it sat crumbling for years. Now it is restored, with a beautiful garden spread out below it. Thank you, Cincinnati.