"The Floating World" at El Dorado Aquatic Center

Photos by Scottsdale Public Art

Lithocrete

Scottsdale's oldest pool, El Dorado, originally built in 1967, received a facelift finished in 2003.  Central to the redesign, the Scottsdale Public Art project, "The Floating World" is an artistic concept and installation by Sylvia Tidwell and Calvin Abe who wanted to create a peaceful feeling, combining the concepts of sky, water and desert.  From the entry of the Aquatic Center, a 190-foot lithocrete river winds it way from inside to the outdoors over to the beach area.  Millions of marbles, Mexican tile pieces and stones (all sorted and placed by hand) run in bands of cobalt blues, aqua greens, reds and ochres.  The lobby ceiling also has a glowing cloud formation made of 18 cirrocumulus clouds.  Two large Arizona jade boulders flank the pool house.  S-shaped benches are designed like bits of abstract shells.  Follow the river to the beach and children's play pool.  Together the entire art project creates a fun, entertaining space as well as a peaceful water refuge.  The El Dorado Aquatic Center is not only a community center for South Scottsdale, but a source of community pride.

Floating World, Scottsdale Public Art