NEW YORK, NY January 15, 2008 —Following the success of the Gates in Central Park, the city is undertaking another big public arts project. instead of billowing saffron fabric, though, this one will use water, lots of it. WNYC's Kathleen Horan explains.

REPORTER: Ever heard of waterfall art? Well by mid July that's exactly what you'll see at four locations in the east river. Water will cascade from the Brooklyn Bridge, near Governor's Island and close to piers in both Manhattan and Brooklyn. The materials used to construct the installation - other than water - are scaffolding and pumps.

Scandinavian artist Olafur Eliasson is no stranger to massive projects. But this one has been years in the making. He says he was inspired by city's historical waterfront:

ELIASSON: what does does water in the city mean? What is nature in that sense, there is always the fact that a city like this carries its history within itself.

REPORTER: The art-falls will be visible from land or river, and since they're all near one other, people can see several waterfalls at once.

The Public Art Fund project is privately financed, and will cost about $15 million but city officials believe it will pump $55 million into the city's economy - mostly in tourist dollars.

For WNYC, I'm Kathleen Horan.