A public art project is a work of visual art, usually large in scale, that is installed on or in the grounds of a building or open space and is intended to be accessible by the general public. It is often created with the idea of interpretation or a way to stimulate a dialogue about a specific topic, issue or area of concern. Examples include murals, sculpture, memorials, integrated architectural or landscape design, community arts and digital new media.
The term “public art” can conjure up images of historic bronze statues adorning a park or civic sculptures that stand in front of government buildings. However, public art today can take a very wide range of forms and be interpreted to include anything from a mural painted on a subway wall by local residents to a large outdoor sculpture commissioned by the city in order to commemorate a famous historical figure or event.
In addition, it is important to note that public art must be rooted in place, meaning it cannot be moved from one location to another. This differentiates it from other types of works of art which may move around on a regular basis as they are loaned to museums or private collections.
Sculpture is a popular medium for the creation of public artworks. It is a challenging form to create because it requires a great deal of labor to render its final, three-dimensional product. Unlike paintings or drawings, sculpture is also subjected to the environmental challenges of weather and extreme temperatures. It is not uncommon for a piece to become worn over time, erode and even fall off of its site.
Many artists who create public art are also involved with a great deal of collaboration and discussion to make the work happen. They must work with a variety of individuals, organizations and agencies to ensure the success of a project. These include architects, engineers, town planners, landscape designers and fabricators as well as the public.
As a result, the nature of public art is changing. In the past, it was mostly a political tool, used to encourage historical pride and connect communities through accessible culture. But over the last decade or so, it has expanded to a more personal level and can include everything from social commentary to activism.
For example, at the University of New Mexico, students and professors are debating what exactly constitutes “public art.” This is not because of some ill will toward the campus’s Modern Head, which was erected in honor of Roy Lichtenstein, one of the most influential pop artists in the 1960s. The debate, which is being covered nationally, is about how to interpret and understand the concept of public art. It is about what role it plays in the evolution of the human experience and how it can be a vehicle for progress or controversy. It is about how the public art of today will become the history of tomorrow.