Public art refers to any piece of visual artwork that is intentionally designed for exhibition in a public space. This can encompass anything from monumental sculptures adorning city squares to intricate murals gracing the walls of buildings and even interactive installations in parks or transportation hubs. The dynamic nature of this type of work is what sets it apart from traditional artistic creations that are confined to the confines of a gallery context.
Whether sparked by controversy or simply debate, public art is meant to engage with and provoke the audience. Its interdisciplinary nature allows for the use of various mediums that can convey ideas and emotions ranging from the abstract to the highly personal. Public art is a powerful and effective means of conveying civic values, national culture, and social commentary.
Public works of art can be viewed in any number of ways: as icons, landmarks, or markers of cultural identity. It can also be a means of celebrating and commemorating certain events, people or places in history, such as the dedication of the Statue of Liberty, the unveiling of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, or the Names Project AIDS Quilt. Public art can also be a tool for community engagement and participation in public life.
The purpose of public art, however, is frequently misunderstood and misinterpreted. Many artists and designers aim to beautify or enliven the communities in which they live, believing that this is an important function of their craft. Others are commissioned to fulfill more mundane functions, such as attracting more tourists or promoting corporate brands and philosophies.
In a diverse society, it is impossible for every piece of public art to please everyone. It should be seen as a positive thing when it provokes a wide range of opinions, from praise to outrage, as this indicates that the work is engaging people in some way. However, the danger is that public art has become so ingrained in our modern urban landscapes that it has lost its critical edge.
This is evident in a common mentality that public art should serve to placate the public rather than stimulate them. Public art committees often feel that their job is to make pieces that will appeal to the masses, and this results in cookie cutter pieces that are not particularly meaningful or interesting to anyone.
In the past, this was not such a big problem. Public art in ancient Rome was a regular occurrence, with impulsive inscriptions of well wishes and love poems appearing on public walls. Similarly, early Chinese tombs adorned with figurative murals and sculptural decorations were meant to express the occupants’ love for their family and their nation.
Today, however, the public is generally disengaged from the process of commissioning and purchasing public works. There is also the perception that public works must be entertaining in order to be considered art, and it is often viewed as a marketing strategy by companies who wish to attract attention with an “artful” façade.