Public art is artwork that is placed in a public space for people to see. It can be temporary or permanent, and it can interpret the history of a place or address a particular social issue. It can also be a form of community building, which brings communities together and helps them solve problems or become more proactive. Examples of public art include murals, sculpture, memorials, integrated architectural or landscape architectural work, and digital new media.
Public artwork can be found in a variety of places and can be very different in style. Some public artwork is very large, such as statues or sculpture gardens. Other public artwork is smaller, such as mosaics or murals. It can be found in buildings or on the street, or it may be located in parks and other outdoor spaces.
The process of creating public art is often a communal one, with artists working alongside design professionals, local residents, city officials and other stakeholders. Projects can be complex and take years to complete. The end result is an artwork that contributes to the character and beauty of a community while helping to distinguish it from others.
Many of the world’s most famous landmarks are public artworks, including Brazil’s Christ The Redeemer, Paris’ Eiffel Tower and New York’s Charging Bull. These works of art help to create a sense of identity in a town or city, setting it apart from other locations and encouraging tourism.
While it’s possible for any type of artwork to be considered public art, most projects are commissioned by the government, city or other entity. There is often a specific budget for the piece, and it must meet certain criteria. For example, the artwork must be created in accordance with national and local safety standards. It should also be appropriate for the site and its intended audience.
Some public art is very ephemeral, such as chalk drawings or projections. Other examples of temporary public art include sculptures made from plants, a series of installations that use light and shadow to change the architecture of a building or an installation that uses a river or other natural feature.
Once a public art project is completed, it must be maintained properly. The artist should provide maintenance instructions, including paint colors and other details that will help to keep the piece looking its best. For example, if a mural is painted on a building, it should be kept away from sunlight, as it can fade the paint over time.
A major challenge with public art is that it tends to be outdoors, where it can easily be damaged by the elements or vandalized. There are also security issues to consider, especially if the artwork is visible from the highway. For this reason, some projects are designed to be affixed to existing structures, such as bridges or walls. In these cases, the structure itself must be designed to withstand the weight of the artwork, which can add up quickly.