Throughout history, public art has served a diverse range of functions. Whether transforming spaces with vivid colors or evoking deeper theoretical contemplation, these works are meant to be experienced by the public and for the public, creating an active dialogue about society through a range of materials and techniques. This issue of Public Art Dialogue explores a wide spectrum of this practice, including free-standing sculpture, murals, relief and object art, urban and landscape design projects, and socially engaged public art.
For example, the iconic Cloud Gate by Anish Kapoor is a playful work that transcends the ordinary into a childlike realm of spectacle and wonder. Its mirrored surface gives it a lucid, weightless quality and its curved contours stretch and distort the surrounding cityscape, making for an engaging visual experience. But the work also serves as a reminder of human vulnerability and the fragility of our world.
Other works serve a more political function, such as the mass-produced statues of ancient Roman dictator Julius Caesar, which communicated specific attributes of his power and influence to the citizens who saw them. The idealized images of such leaders continued into later societies, as in sculptures of Napoleon Bonaparte or Joseph Stalin, which affirmed their status as strong leaders and powerful figures in the minds of the public.
Another role public art can play is the creation of clear delineation of a space by establishing boundaries. This has been particularly popular for artists working in a graffiti style, such as Montreal-based street artist MissMe, who creates unsanctioned art to promote female empowerment and challenge toxic masculinity in our society. She uses striking imagery, such as female genitalia and rage-filled women shouting obscenities, to shock the audience into a critical response.
Public art can also function as a form of protest, such as the installation of a huge, life-sized whale by New York artist Jenny Holzer in 2012 to highlight the plight of marine mammals and the ongoing threat to whale populations. It was a controversial piece that was widely derided, but was eventually reclaimed by the artist for its original purpose of raising awareness about whale conservation.
The broader notion of public art can also be seen in the ways in which it can encourage community engagement and ownership. Public art that is designed to be a lasting part of an urban environment will often incorporate the contact details for its custodian into signage and interpretation, so that the local community can act as “eyes and ears” for the artwork and alert the authorities to any signs of neglect or heritage crime.
Public art can also serve as a way of empowering communities and providing them with tools to envision their futures. In this edition of Public Art Dialogue, we feature two stories that explore how communities are using art as a tool for civic planning and revitalization. In one story, Norwegian county Oppland uses art to address a major road project that will cut through several villages and threaten their vital service industries. The other story features a project in which an artist worked with a village to use theater as a way of engaging its youth in conversations about climate change.