Public art is any work that is created specifically for a public space and that is accessible to the general public. It can take many forms, from large scale sculptures and monuments to murals, installations, and performances. It can be temporary or permanent and is usually a collaborative process between a community and a professional artist or curator-mediator. It may be indoors or outdoors, and is typically free to the public.
Public artwork can be a source of controversy, as different people will respond to the work in different ways and there is not always agreement about what constitutes good public art. However, the fact that public art provokes debate is a positive sign that it is engaging the community and provoking discussion about important issues that affect all citizens.
Often public art is controversial because it challenges the status quo or presents an alternative point of view. This is a necessary part of public art as it allows for a rich and diverse cultural experience. The debate and discussion that surrounds public art also helps to strengthen it as a cultural institution.
The goal of public art is to enhance a community and make it more enjoyable to live, work, or play. In order to accomplish this, the artists and designers that create public art need to be aware of how the work will be received by the public. The design process for a piece of public art is therefore very important as the success or failure of a project will depend on how well it fits the context in which it is placed and whether or not it resonates with the community.
Public art works are usually intended to remain in place for long periods of time, sometimes centuries. For this reason, they are created from highly durable materials like bronze, marble and basalt (bluestone).
One example of permanent public art is the statue of David by Michelangelo which has stood in the Piazza Della Signoria in Florence for hundreds of years. In some cases, when a public art work is no longer considered relevant or appropriate for its location it can be removed. However, this is controversial as it can be seen as removing an integral part of the history of a city or nation. For instance, the removal of the Parthenon Marbles from their home at the Greek Parthenon temple was seen as theft by many in the Greek community and it is currently being fought over by archaeologists, historians and political figures.
Temporary public art projects are less permanent and typically have a shorter life span. They can include performances that only last for a single night, sculptures with a set life span and ephemeral installation such as projection mapping projects. These works are often supported by Percent for Art funds or by private fundraising. Integrated public art is an artwork that has been designed to be an integral component of a structure such as street paving, building or landscape design. For example, View Site 17 by Ray Thomas is a bronze sculpture that is incorporated into the bluestone paving on Collins Street in Melbourne and depicts the Koorie creation story of the Karak Gurok (Seven Sisters).