Public art can be defined as any artwork that is intentionally designed to be displayed in a public space, making it accessible to a wide range of people. It can be as broad as monumental sculptures adorning city squares or intricately painted murals on the side of buildings, to as narrow as a kinetic light installation that reacts to the movements of passersby. Unlike traditional gallery-based art, public works often have a more interactive component, encouraging viewers to engage with the work in ways that would not be possible in a museum setting.
The creation of public art is a complex process that takes into account many factors, including practical concerns such as safety and accessibility. It also requires the involvement of a wide variety of individuals and groups, from artists and planners to community members and local civic leaders. The end result is a piece that reflects the history, culture and use of the place where it is located, as well as the community’s values and aspirations.
While public art can be permanent, it is most commonly temporary. This can be due to budget constraints, the desire to experiment with new forms of artistic expression or the need to respond to changing social and cultural conditions. The temporary nature of public art can make it an effective tool for fostering dialogue with a local community about important issues and for celebrating the spirit and energy of a place.
As an extension of the democratic practice of bringing art out of the exclusive confines of museums and galleries and into the open shared spaces of everyday life, it is often a reflection of the cultural landscape in which it is created. It can address a wide range of issues and topics that are relevant to the local community, from addressing social and political issues to highlighting cultural heritage or showcasing community pride.
It can also address more abstract or philosophical ideas and issues, such as the desire to connect urban life with nature in works such as Agnes Denes’s Wheatfield – A Confrontation or Joseph Beuys’s 7000 Oaks. More recently, ecological issues have become more prominent in public art, with projects like Jeff Koons’ Bouquet of Tulips referencing the desire for humankind to reconnect with nature and heal from recent tragedies such as the 2015 Paris attacks.
In the case of the latter, it highlights the complexities involved in commissioning work with significant symbolic or emotional significance, especially when the intention is to commemorate a tragedy. While it is impossible to know the full impact of a particular piece of public art, it is crucial that such works are not removed from their original setting and displayed somewhere else without careful consideration of how this will affect the local community.