 The Crowns were open @-@ minded about the choice of artist ; wanting a modern work , they solicited proposals from a list of prospective artists and architects . Jaume Plensa researched the traditions and history of fountains and studied anthropomorphism in fountain imagery . Some of his early ideas for the project referenced Buckingham Fountain , but these were soon abandoned . His presentation to the Crown family started with a slide show of fountains from the Middle Ages through the 20th century . Plensa focused on the philosophical meanings associated with fountains , their history , use and art . His presentation included computer animation of facial expressions . The other finalists were Maya Lin , who presented a low @-@ height horizontal form , and Robert Venturi , who presented a fountain that would have been 150 feet ( 46 m ) tall . In January 2000 , Plensa won the commission to design the fountain over Lin and Venturi . The installation is a video sculpture , commissioned to operate thirty years . 
 The Crowns <a href='uninflect' title='1'><mark>were</mark></a> open @-@ minded about the choice of artist ; wanting a modern work , they solicited proposals from a list of prospective artists and architects . Jaume Plensa researched the traditions and history of fountains and studied anthropomorphism in fountain imagery . Some of his early ideas for the project referenced Buckingham Fountain , but these <a href='uninflect' title='2'><mark>were</mark></a> soon abandoned . His presentation to the Crown family started with a slide show of fountains from the Middle Ages through the 20th century . Plensa focused on the philosophical meanings associated with fountains , their history , use and art . His presentation included computer animation of facial expressions . The other finalists <a href='uninflect' title='3'><mark>were</mark></a> Maya Lin , <a href='null_relcl' title='4'><mark>who</mark></a>presented a low @-@ height horizontal form , and Robert Venturi , <a href='null_relcl' title='5'><mark>who</mark></a>presented a fountain <a href='null_relcl' title='6'><mark>that</mark></a>would have been 150 feet ( 46 m ) tall . In January 2000 , Plensa won the commission to design the fountain over Lin and Venturi . The installation <a href='drop_aux' title='7'><mark>is</mark></a>a video sculpture , commissioned to operate thirty years . 
Da Crowns was open @-@ minded abt tdachoice of artist ; wanting a modern work , they solicited proposals from a list of prospective artists and architects . Jaume Plensa researched thdaraditions and history of fountains and studied anthropomorphism in fountain imagery . Some of his early ideas for the project referenced Buckingham Fountain , but dese was soon abandoned . His presentation to thedaown fam started with a slide show of fountains from the Middle Ages thru the 20th century . Plensa focused on the philosophical meanings associated w fountains , their history , use and art . His presentation included computer animation of facial expressions . The other finalists was Maya Lin , presented a low @-@ height horizontal form , and Robert Venturi , presented a fountain would have been 150 feet ( 46 m ) tall . In January 2000 , Plensa won the commission to design the fountain over Lin and Venturi . The datallation a video sculpture , commissioned to operate thirty years .