Public art is art that can be experienced in a public space, such as a park, city square or street. It may be a sculpture, mural, integrated architectural or landscape architectural work, community art, digital new media and even festivals or performances! Often public art interprets the history of a place, its people or addresses a social issue. It can be permanent or temporary and range in scale from large monumental works to small interactive projects.
Unlike artwork in museums or private galleries, public art is experienced by many people over time and in multiple contexts. It is not unusual for people to encounter a piece of public art several times over the course of a week and during different seasons. This unique experience allows the viewer to form a personal connection and opinion with the artwork. This interaction is the essence of public art and the reason it is so important to our culture.
Public artwork serves many purposes: to aesthetically beautify spaces, to educate, commemorate and memorialize events, to inspire creativity, spark debate or controversy, and promote social change. The vast majority of public art is commissioned by a government or municipality and is funded through local taxes or a dedicated arts fund. Frequently public art is the first or only introduction to art for many individuals.
The process of creating a public artwork can take years. The project team usually includes the artist or artists, architects and designers, engineers, funding agencies, construction teams and approval boards. The final product can be very complex and include a variety of materials, including concrete, stone, steel, glass, bronze, aluminum and ceramics. Often the design is integrated into the structure of the building or space and reflects the architectural environment, natural surroundings or neighborhood identity.
Some examples of contemporary public art are:
Whether permanent or temporary, public art brings art to the masses, democratizing the experience for those who cannot afford to collect art in their homes or visit museums and galleries. For example, the works of sculptor Keith Haring used the platform of public art to challenge taboos and encourage social change. Other artists have used public art to promote awareness and discussion of issues such as AIDS, environmental degradation and gender politics.
Some of the earliest public art programs were sculpture parks that offered a suitable setting for sculptural forms that could not be displayed in museum galleries. The mission of these parks was to create a bond between the work and its environment. This philosophy continues today in public art programs such as the Roy Lichtenstein Endowed Chair of Art History at Ohio State and curated sculpture gardens around the world.