Exhibition Fountain 1880

Summary

Location: Carlton Gardens Also known as Hochgurtel Fountain Three colossal figures, half man, half fish support the first ledge. Above this ledge dance four boys hand in hand representing commerce, industry, science and arts, symbolic designs being shown over their heads. Above the dancers is a second ledge which is embellished with flowers and birds indigenous to Victoria. This design is domed by a further ledge surmounted by a boy bearing a basket of fishes on his head. It is constructed from Portland Cement on a frame of stone and iron. The colossal fountain stands some 10 metres high on the south side of the Royal Exhibition Building, outside the Great Hall. It was constructed for the first of Melbourne’s two grand international world fairs. The fountain’s visual elements were designed to display the young colony’s confidence and advancement, simultaneously signalling the purpose of world fairs to display the produce and industry of nations. At the central level of the fountain, four youths (representing a young and vibrant colony) dance below symbols of the arts, science, commerce and industry; for example, musical instruments, a telescope, sailing ship, steam engine and globe of the world. Above this are images of Victoria’s indigenous flora and fauna, and a boy with a clamshell. Holding all of this aloft are four merpeople rising up from the waters of the lower pool. Built during Victoria’s boom years, the fountain’s spouting water, it was thought, would demonstrate the power and success of the recently established Yan Yean project, which brought potable water to the city. On opening day, however, the pressure was too poor to affect much more than a spurt from the apex of the grand edifice. In 1994, Hochgurtel’s fountain underwent major restoration. It remains a great reminder of the glorious days of Marvellous Melbourne.