Public art gives our surrounding environment meaning in the sense that such environment is bestowed with an identity of its own – one that is site-specific and unique.
It helps us understand where we live, work, and visit deeply.
It allows for a kind of sense of humanity in the built environment, connects the past to the present and the present to the future.
It also helps communities develop and grow. And as such, In the 21st century, public art has become a key feature in urban developments. It gives an environment an identity rich in history, culture, and beliefs of its people.
What Is Public Art?
Public art is simply art in public spaces.
In ancient times, “public art” was usually images of historic bronze statues. Today, public art can be anything regardless of the form, size, and scale—and can be temporary or permanent.
As we mentioned, public art details the history of a place, its people, and perhaps addresses a social or environmental issue.
Examples of public art are murals, sculptures, memorials, integrated architectural or landscape architectural work, community art, digital new media, and even performances and festivals!
Public art is often site-specific. It is created about the place and community in which it resides. It tells part of a city’s history.
While public art is an asset to the community in question, the development and management of public art can often be a complex process.
In this article, you will have a deep understanding of what public art is, why it is important to a community, how it is developed and created, and finally, the positive impacts public art can have on a community especially in urban developments.
Importance of Public Art
Public art is no longer just an urban backdrop, it has become an essential part of our day-to-day living, improving cityscapes and as a tool for communicating powerful messages.
An example of how public art can shape or influence society is the instance of feminist artists including Barbara Kruger and the Guerrilla Girls who explored propaganda-style posters spurring viewers into action. Public art extends beyond gallery walls. It influences the real world and engages audiences from all works of life.
It has been discovered that public art has positive effects on communities. Today, some of the best public art is created to directly engage communities and point out local or national issues.
Some public artworks served as pioneers for urban redevelopment projects or social reform.
Today, many foundations have been established to promote the development of temporary and permanent public art projects. Some of such foundations include The Public Art Fund in New York, The Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation in Iowa, and The Association for Public Art in Philadelphia.
How Public Art Is Developed
Public art is usually developed and managed by municipal agencies like local arts agencies or sometimes, private organizations such as nonprofit arts organizations.
Public art may also be artist-driven, self-funded, and created outside of an institutional framework. Public art projects could also be publicly funded
Such projects are usually part of development or construction projects that make up a larger urban development or cultural plan.
Public Artworks In Urban Developments
Public art has managed to draw attention to new, or somewhat empty, residential developments. Most residents appreciate the beauty and the little bit of inspiration that public art in the landscape can bring. Public fosters unity between locals and those unfamiliar with the areas.
The increasing agitation for property artworks has lead to the creation of dedicated public art agencies and manufacturers in developing long-lasting architecture and sculpture in residential property development which in turn widens
the reaches of public art in the community.
The property industry should be interested in public art. Artwork for urban, commercial, and residential spaces adds value to architecture and the community.
A case study of the scope and influence of public art in the urban settlement is the “Case of Katara Cultural Village in Qatar“
The research study explores how the transformation of public art during Qatar’s period of development raised questions about how public art influences the contemporary city and whether it has or should have a specific role in the city.
This research study focused on the influence of art and culture on a specific instance of urban development.
The research concludes that public art was advantageous to the city, particularly for urban development and regeneration.
Since public art is unique and visually distinctive, it can play a role in establishing identity and legibility especially when it is designed and created in ways that fit in with its surrounding area and site.