Public Art

“Public art is not an art “form.” Its size can be huge or small. It can tower fifty feet high or call attention to the paving beneath your feet. Its shape can be abstract or realistic (or both), and it may be cast, carved, built, assembled, or painted. It can be site-specific or stand in contrast to its surroundings. What distinguishes public art is the unique association of how it is made, where it is, and what it means. Public art can express community values, enhance our environment, transform a landscape, heighten our awareness, or question our assumptions. Placed in public sites, this art is there for everyone, a form of collective community expression. Public art is a reflection of how we see the world – the artist’s response to our time and place combined with our own sense of who we are” – Sourced from here .

 This is a very simplistic art installation called ‘Cloud Gate’ butmnick named ‘The Bean’ in chicago. This piece has been sitting at the opening of Millennium park since 2006. Although it is a total of 110 short tonnes, it looks weightless like a balloon about to float away.

Although this piece by Banksy was never legally commissioned, it is one of the most famous public art and ‘Balloon Girl’ is a recognisable symbol  all around the world. I love the contrast between the fuchsia of the heart balloon and the almost black shadow drawing of the little girl.

Considerations for Public Art

When creating public art there are a few areas that will be needed to be addressed :

• Nudity– although a common theme for art many years ago, in todays culture having nudity for all to see could be disturbing for children and others who deem it inappropriate.
• Violence– violent art has been used for many years to show what people had to suffer in often attempts to keep others safe. The blood and violent acts could scare and scar those who see it, mostly children
• Indecent Acts– doing so in public is illegal, and showing it could be just as bad.

All of the above are easy enough to handle if you are mature enough but in public streets like Douglas many, immature and young people will see it and not understand but also show them images their guardians most like don’t want them to see.