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# The chief thing that the "ugliest fountain in Europe", unveiled for the 150th anniversary of Vienna's water supply, this little "masterpiece" by the art group Gelatin costing 2 million euros, makes one ponder is why one part of society admires it, surely…
- URL: https://theparnassian.com/en/glavnoe-o-chem-zastavliaet-zadumatsia-otkrytyi-k-150-letiiu-vodosnabzheniia-veny-samyi-urodlivyi-fontan-evropy-etot-malenkii-shedevr-art-gruppy-gelatin-stoimostiu-2-milliona-evro-eto-po/
- Published: 2023-12-12T05:31:45.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-01T05:35:05.000Z
- Author: Alexandr Radayev
- Tags: Art, Observations, Society

Yet what, if not such provocative, even nauseating art, can compel us to reflect? The question is not a new one, but ought art, after all, to be beautiful? What function do such works serve? Beauty awakens feelings familiar to everyone: at the sight of a butterfly fluttering over a green meadow one begins to smile, birdsong recalls childhood, the light of the stars turns the mind to creation itself, and even the humblest Renaissance painting seems to speak to you of the perfection of the created world. What do you find yourself thinking about as you look at this fountain? Would you care to look at it again?

At the very least, this work has accomplished one task: it has made us wonder whether we derive pleasure from it, whether we feel anything good, whether we become better for contemplating it.

![](https://theparnassian.com/content/images/2026/09/photo_10649@12-12-2023_08-31-45.jpg)

![](https://theparnassian.com/content/images/2026/09/photo_10650@12-12-2023_08-31-45.jpg)

![](https://theparnassian.com/content/images/2026/09/photo_10651@12-12-2023_08-31-45.jpg)