Public art is a broad category that includes any artwork staged in the physical public domain, usually outside and accessible to all. It can be rendered in any media, from environmental art dealing with the landscape to architectural interventions, and it is often interactive and participatory.
For a long time, public art served as the means by which societies commemorated important events and symbolized values that a community wanted to reinforce. It was the reason behind big bronze statues of generals and politicians or murals of battles in public buildings: these works reminded a community that patriotism and self-sacrifice earned recognition, and they hoped to inspire those virtues in others.
This purpose of public art has been largely abandoned in modern society, but it’s not entirely gone. It has simply morphed into the purpose of many different kinds of artistic endeavors. From the sculptural abstractions that turned away from figurative monuments to abstract forms, to artists creating site-specific installations to connect people with a specific city, it is now a part of the visual experience in any city.
As a result, the public art of today is not so much about promoting certain values as it is about enhancing the aesthetics of cities and building cultural identity in communities. Public art reaches out to a wide audience in ways that traditional gallery or museum shows can not, and the results can be both fascinating and enlightening.
The first thing to consider about public art is that it has to be durable enough to last for a long time. Unlike a painting or a sculpture in a gallery, public art will be subject to weathering and wear over time, so it needs to be constructed of materials that can stand up to the elements. Public works of art also need to be maintained regularly to keep them in good condition. This maintenance may include cleaning, repairing or replacing damaged areas, and keeping the work’s paint colors consistent.
When an artist creates a piece of public art, they have the responsibility to help make sure that it is maintained. A contract between the artist and the commissioning agency should specify a timeline for creating and installing the piece, a payment schedule, insurance and liability coverage, and maintenance responsibilities. A written contract will also ensure that the art can be removed if it becomes controversial, infected with pests, or otherwise damaged by natural or man-made circumstances.
In the end, the most valuable aspect of public art is that it connects a community to its culture in a way that nothing else can. It allows people to interact and exchange ideas about a city’s history and future. It is a form of civic engagement that can be both beautiful and powerful, and it is something that all of us should try to be a part of.
This book will take you on a tour of more than 300 energetic, eye-catching examples of public art. Organized geographically into chapters on the grounds, walls, structures, waters, routes, and skies of cities, it reveals how artists transform public spaces, promote interaction, foster community, and provoke impassioned responses.