ARMENIA - Yerevan (Cascade)

The Cascade is a mix of park and building, creating a unique architectural composition. Constructed by the Soviet Union in the 1980s, the Cascade was deigned like The Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Stretching more than the height of the Empire State Building at 450 meters from the bottom of the Cascade to the Monument Terrace, the Cascade is massive!    



The statue of Alexander Tamanian at the Cascade. As mentioned in my Yerevan posting, he is well known for the design of the Republic Square. He was also the architect of many other buildings in Armenia.



The Cascade was originally conceived by the architect Alexander Tamanian as he desired to connect the northern and central part of the cities, the historic residential and cultural centers of the city with a vast green area of waterfalls and gardens, cascading down one of the city’s highest promontories.  



The Sculpture Park in front of the Cascade. Sculpture of famous artist such as Botero, Chadwick and Flanagan decorates the park.



Hare on Bell by Barry Flanagan.



Roman Warrior by Fernando Botero. A small weapon down there.



A big blue Kiwi by Peter Woytuk.



Sitting Figures by Lynn Chadwick.



A sitting sculpture by Jaume Plensa at the front and Lynn Chadwick’s Stairs at the background.



A horse sculpture.



A teapot by Joana Vasconcelos.



A fat lady statue and Botero’s Cat on the right.



It is actually called Mujer Fumando un Cigarrilo, Woman Smoking a Cigarette by Botero. 



Locals hanging out at the park.



There are some restaurants beside the Sculpture Park where you can enjoy a meal or a drink.



The external view of the cascade is basically a massive white stairway up a hillside.



The Cascade houses the Cafesjian Center for the Arts. Tuesday to Thursday, it is open from 10am to 5pm. From Friday to Sunday, opening hours are 10am to 8pm. Cafesjian Center is closed on Monday and the entrance to the Center is free.



Time to head inside the Cascade.



The Cafesjian Center for Arts located in the Cascade is an art museum in Yerevan which houses a large collections of contemporary art. Opened since 2009, the museum is one of the most ambitious works of contemporary architecture undertaken in any of the former republics of Soviet Union.



A huge chandelier greets visitors at the lobby area. It is actually a sculpture by Do Ho Suh, Cause and Effect.



The glass sculptures are housed here.



Many prominent artist works such as Bertil Vallien, Pavel Hlava, Milan Handl and Dale Chihuly can be found here.



If I’m not mistaken, there were four level of terraces where you can exit and enjoy the garden, sculpture and the fountains. This is the Cascade’s 1st level.



An interesting sculpture by David Breuer Weil.



From the Cascade you get a nice view of the Sculpture Park.



Love!



Another sitting sculpture by Jaume Plensa. At the back is the Monument tower, erected to celebrate Soviet’s victory in WWII.



The Cascade has a long indoor shaft containing a series of escalator, an intricate network of halls and courtyard.  



Some of the sculptures laid beside each escalator.



Circle of Lynn Chadwick.



A photo of the Cascade during construction.



The Khanjyan Hall.



The Khanjyan Hall houses some very beautiful paintings. Unfortunately, photographs are not allowed to be taken. Well, my beau still managed to secretly capture a few photos. 





Peace.



Circles of Life by Jenny Pickford.



Lion 2, by Korean artist Ji Yong-Ho at the 2nd level of the Cascade.



The limbs of the lion are elaborated with shredded motorcycle tires and the fur is represented with turned out tires.



I really liked this piece of artwork.



A closer look at the tires.



Beautifully laid out sculptures at the Cafesjian Center for the Arts,



Giant Orchid sculpture by Christie Maylee.



The cascading area is also a nice place to bring your love ones while enjoying the fountains.



I do not know if its a cost saving measure, but the fountains are a bit pathetic.



At the 3rd level of the Cascade.



The ear.







Golden Eagle by Martin Debenham.







A chrome plated car.





The fourth level of the Cascade.



The outdoor gardens with numerous sculpture bearing references to Armenia’s rich history and cultural heritage.



The fourth and also the highest cascade level offers a panorama view of Central Yerevan and the supposedly spectacular view of Mount Ararat. Unfortunately, Mount Ararat was obscured by clouds that particular day.





A sculpture by Yue Minjun, China.



Underwater Spiral by Rebecca Welz, USA.



Not all of the sculptures are being posted here.



I am just posting some of the sculpture which I really liked.



Black Gold by William Lazard.









After marvelling at the sculptures. It’s time to make a move.



Took some more pictures of the sculptures at the park.



My beau with my son.



Constructed since the 1980s, the Cascade is actually not yet completed.



The project was abandoned in 1991 when Soviet Union collapsed. Construction is still in progress and is at its final stage. 



As I leave the Cascade, the Monument can be visible from the roadside. The Cascade is very much a recommended place to visit while in Yerevan.