Unlike art in private collections or in museums, public art is meant to be seen by as many people as possible. It is usually displayed in open spaces such as parks, squares or streets that are accessible to the general public. It may be sculptural, such as the Statue of Liberty or Mount Rushmore, or it can take another form such as murals or environmental sculpture. It is also often interactive and designed to encourage hands-on interaction with the public, such as Jim Palas’ 1980 Century of Light in Detroit, Michigan, which featured a large outdoor mandala of lights that reacted to sounds and movements in the area around it.
Public artworks are typically commissioned by governments and local authorities, or they can be part of a larger art project that is part of an exhibition or festival. They are often created in response to the community in which they reside, and they often reflect social or political themes that are important to the city and its residents. Some artists dedicate their entire careers to creating public artworks, such as the Norwegian sculptor Gustav Vigeland, who spent over 20 years building his Vigeland Sculpture Park in Oslo, or street and graffiti artists like Banksy, who have made a living from their art.
Often, the process of creating a public artwork can be an arduous one. It is usually a collaborative effort that involves the artist or artists, architects and design professionals, local residents, civic leaders, politicians, approval agencies and funding agencies. In some cases, it can take decades for a public artwork to be approved and completed.
When a work of public art is completed, it must be maintained and preserved in order to last for decades. This can be a significant challenge, especially for outdoor pieces that are exposed to extreme weather conditions. The deterioration of materials such as stone and bronze can be rapid, requiring that the piece be repaired or replaced regularly.
Some public artworks are intentionally provocative and are intended to stimulate debate and discussion. This can be a difficult goal to achieve, particularly if the artwork is controversial or makes political statements that are not widely shared by all members of the community.
Other forms of public art are intended to be more meditative and relaxing. These can include water fountains, benches and environmental sculptures that are positioned to be a focal point in an urban landscape. It is also common for cities to use public art as a way to commemorate important events and people in their history, such as the Angel of the North in Newcastle, England, or the Barcelona landmark Park Guell.
Other public art is designed to be both beautiful and functional, such as mosaics, murals, creative landscaping and artistic benches or trash containers. It can even include a neon light installation or a building façade that has been transformed into a canvas for an antique illustration. In some cases, the creation of public art is a way to promote tourism and business in a particular city or region.