Whether it is a monumental sculpture adorning the lobby of a government building or a mural spray-painted on a shop’s window, public art can be found in all sorts of spaces. Unlike works in museums or private galleries, public art is meant to be viewed by the general population. Because of this, it often serves a variety of functions including beautifying space, celebrating cultural heritage, acting as a social or political propaganda tool and activating public spaces.
While there is much debate about what constitutes public art, the definition typically includes any artwork that is designed for a specific setting and intended for exhibition in a public space. It may be sculptural or non-sculptural, indoors or outdoor and is usually commissioned by the public authority to reflect a unique aspect of the location – its history, natural surroundings, architectural environment, local identity or community needs. Public art is often created and curated with the input of residents, as well as artists. This community-centered approach to urban design is one reason why public art has become a popular method for improving neighborhoods.
The goal of public art is to inspire dialogue and bring people together. In addition to serving a decorative function, public art is also known to stimulate economic development and boost a city’s image. It can be an effective way to promote local culture and foster community pride and cohesion, especially for marginalized communities that are not as well represented in the mainstream arts scene.
Some public artworks are designed to encourage direct hands-on interaction. These may include interactive pieces that involve sound, light or video, or that allow the user to control a mechanism that produces music, such as Steve Mann’s fountain and musical instrument (hydraulophone) in front of Toronto’s Ontario Science Centre. Public street art is another common form of interactive public art. Many cities host public street art festivals or commission local artists to paint murals by a particular theme or subject matter.
In terms of permanence, the main difference between public art and other works is that they must be rooted in place rather than roving among different locations. This means that they have to meet rigorous standards in order to withstand the elements and to be easily accessible by the general public. It also means that they cannot be sold or removed without an official process like in the case of a work in a museum collection.
A public art piece must also be able to communicate its message to a broad range of audiences. This can be difficult because the concept of public art is inherently subjective and varies greatly from community to community. In the past, public art was more formally defined by a legislative body, such as percent-for-art ordinances, but now it is more often defined by the community itself. The challenge is to ensure that the art is responsive to the community and is truly public, as opposed to being merely for show.