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Shar-Lyn Tay
HUN 192.7689
Professor Kimmel
25 July 2007
Public Art
Public art can be defined as artwork displayed in a public space. Public art can
serve a purely aesthetic purpose, or double as a public amenity that can benefit users
besides pleasing their eyes. Usually, these works of art are commissioned with the main
intention of being in a public space, and therefore are tailored to suit the site specifically
by the artist.
To the average eye, one might not even notice public art even if it were part of
their daily lives. Most people might bypass a mosaic on the wall of their local subway
station. However, if this work of public art were not there, they would probably notice the
dreariness of the station which now lacks any color or personality. Public art brightens up
the day of many people by unknowingly stimulating one’s senses and taking them away
from their monotonous routine.
Some works of public art also serve a purpose besides being something to feast
your eyes on. Gorgeous stone benches provide a resting area, and stone chess or checkers
tables situated in the park allow for a fun activity. Trashcans fashioned out of tree trunks
placed in a park help keep the public space litter-free while maintaining a sense of nature,
and not succumbing to the typical metal ones that we have become so accustomed to.
While smaller works of public art may benefit one individual, larger works tend to
attract tourists, thus acting as a source of income for the city. For example, when Central
Park in New York City displayed The Gates by artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude, food
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vendors and carriage drivers noticed a surge in business. This project also created a lot of
jobs for people living in New York City, as many were needed for the installation,
maintenance and removal of The Gates (NYC.gov). The large amount of tourists who
came to New York City just to view The Gates also helped boost the hospitality
industries such as hotels and restaurants.
Public art has the advantage of allowing its audience to interact with it. In most
cases, people are able to touch and feel public art. Allowing one to feel the surface and
texture of the art elevates the art piece to a whole new personal level. As opposed to
museum art, which are usually displayed in glass cases or behind ropes to help preserve
and protect it, public art makes it easier for an individual to connect with it. One may
have to know the history of art in a museum in order to appreciate it fully, but this is not
necessary with art situated in public locations. Public art also gives people who are
usually not inclined to visit museums a taste of art.
Public art also serves one important purpose, and that is to beautify and enhance
its natural environment. Alamo, better known as The Cube by Bernard Rosenthal, sits in
Manhattan’s East Village, and emphasizes the quirkiness of that neighborhood. Central
Park and Battery Park City are scattered with various sculptures and statues, most of
them signifying a historical event. It is especially important to have public art displays in
concrete jungles such as New York City because without them, the city would just be
dull, dark, shapeless, and rigid. Abstract sculptures give the city color, personality, and a
life of its own. A city with beautiful public art broadcasts a positive image of itself.
In order to consider something public art, it has to have certain qualities and
elements. If the artist creating the art already knows that it is meant for a public space, he
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has to take into account the type of materials to be used. Even if it is meant to be
displayed indoors, the materials have to be tough and able to withstand thousands of
curious hands upon it, and not something that corrodes easily. It cannot be too flimsy if it
requires interaction with human beings twenty-four hours a day. If the artwork is for the
outside, then it has to be made out of even tougher materials due to Mother Nature.
Strong winds, rain, extreme temperatures and harsh sunlight should be taken into factor.
Bronze and stainless steel are popular materials for outdoor sculptures due to their ability
to withstand these natural obstacles.
Another factor that has to be taken into consideration when creating public art is
the site at where it will be located. It can be made to stand out from its surroundings, or to
blend in and complement it. Unfortunately, those that were made to stand out have earned
the derogatory term of ‘plop art’, because these sculptures look as if they have been
‘plopped’ thoughtlessly in front of a building or right in the middle of a park. However,
these pieces of art have the ability to extricate people from the bustle of their everyday
lives. A piece of abstract sculpture in front of an office building is able to take away some
of the business-like feel of the place and hopefully instill a more peaceful, relaxed
feeling. A sculpture in the middle of a grassy area of a park allows it to complement its
surroundings and beautify what may otherwise be a dull area. Inspirational murals can
also serve as an encouragement to many if it placed in the right area, such as the side wall
of a public school.
While the actual installation may require a number of people, it is basically
entirely up to the artist what he wants to present in his work of art. A lone artist is able to
express his individuality, but he also has to make compromises as his work would be
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available for the entire world to see. He should be able to express his view through his
art, yet be able to not offend the majority of people. If he does create something offensive
to others’ religion, race, or beliefs, then he would not be permitted to place his artwork in
public. As art is very subjective, an artist can create something that not necessarily has
anything to do with history. Contemporary sculptures exist in parks as public art. These
modern art pieces do not have to be purely aesthetic; some sculptures can double as a
child’s playground.
The artist also could take into consideration what type of cultural or local
elements to include in his artwork if he knows where his art will be located. Subway
stations are home to a plethora of public art. In the Queens Plaza station, there is a mosaic
representation of the Long Island City skyline. It is the very representation of city life
itself. The Coney Island/Stillwell Avenue station houses My Coney Island Baby, a
relatively new glass brick wall with silk-screened images by Robert Wilson. Created in
2004, this glass wall has images of what Coney Island has to offer – carnival rides,
games, and food. It certainly acts as a trigger of nostalgia for anyone who sees this piece
of art. When an artist incorporates elements that hold a lot of meaning to the people who
would view his artwork often, people would have an extra sense of appreciation for it.
As for the viewer of public art, one may interpret something in different ways,
due to the subjectivity of art. Battery Park City has many such art pieces that require
scrutiny in order to appreciate it fully. Ned Smyth’s The Upper Room contains religious
elements that may be missed at first glance. The long table in the middle with six seats on
each side resembles the table at The Last Supper, and be a representation of the twelve
disciples. The mosaic tower that is protected by a roof looks like a place where rituals are
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performed. The concrete columns are very reminiscent of the Pantheon’s in Ancient
Rome. Since pantheon means ‘the temple of all gods’, Ned Smyth’s creation can be
interpreted as a spiritual place where one can get solitude, rest, knowledge, and spiritual
guidance.
It is also entirely up to viewers how they want to make use of public art. Most of
the time, public art is so eye-catching that it is hard to be ignored. Therefore, these works
of art usually attract a wide variety of people. People who work in neighboring offices
usually use the North Cove at the World Financial Center as a place to have lunch or a
break from office life. A relaxing fountain hidden beneath the shade of trees, plenty of
benches, and the nearby piers add to the already beautiful atmosphere. Inline skating,
cycling, and skateboarding are also allowed in the bottom tier of the North Cove, giving
the place a relaxed feel, a step away from the corporate world, and acts as a friendly
invitation to the younger crowd to frequent the area.
Certain organizations have been formed in order to maintain and create new
works of public art. A prime example is the Public Art Fund, formed in New York City in
order to help public artists. According to their mission statement on their official website,
their aim is: “By bringing artworks outside the traditional context of museums and
galleries, the Public Art Fund provides increased access to the art of our time dismantling any barriers to the accessibility of contemporary art - and provides artists
with a unique opportunity to expand their artistic practice.” (PublicArtFund.org) Part of
their purpose is to extend new commissions to public artists, collaborate with the
museums in New York City to promote the museums’ artworks beyond the confines of
the museum. The Public Art Fund also publishes a newsletter, gives lectures, and prints
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books. Other organizations similar to the Public Art Fund are the Art in the Public
Interest (API), Public Art Network (PAN), and the Public Art Registry, which contains a
catalogue of famous public art in major cities round the world.
As an example of public art, Mary Miss’s South Cove in Battery Park City really
captures the essence of public art. The entire area is breathtakingly beautiful, and serves
as a peaceful place to spend time with family or just to stare out into the Hudson River.
The loose pilings in the water remind one of actually being out at sea, and the round
shape of the walkways give the place a surreal feeling. According to Miss, she installed
the pilings to create a visual transition between land and water (Dig It Magazine). These
walkways are framed by arches that contain blue lamps. The soothing blueness of the
lamps and water, and green shrubbery that surround the area are successful in making one
feel transported from New York City, which is merely in the background. There are some
starkly different man-made materials used in this work of art as well. While the
walkways are made out of wood to resemble jetties, there is a large lookout tower
overlooking the entire cove. This tower is constructed out of metal in the shape of a
horseshoe. Its rounded shape gives viewers the chance to take a sweeping look of the
entire area.
The South Cove is an entire public space dedicated to making one feel at home,
yet away from the city. It serves well as a spot for families to just sit around on the
benches and enjoy the view, and for parents to educate their children about nature in a big
city. Individuals may also see the South Cove as a getaway and enjoy a book or lunch
there. It is the perfect complement to New York City, a place where nature is so easily
overlooked in favor of skyscrapers and towering apartments.
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Public art is a must-have staple of every city. It can serve as an eye-pleaser, or
even as an amenity that benefits the public. Public art can transform a dull space into
something new and exciting. It also gives artists jobs that in turn inspire them to create
artworks that are admired by many. Public art gives a city personality, vibrance, and
character, where it would otherwise be like any other city in the world. Therefore, it is
important to maintain public art and preserve what could be considered historical a
decade from now.
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Works Cited
“About The Gates, Central Park, New York City, 1979-2005”. NYC.gov. 2007.
<http://www.nyc.gov/html/thegates/html/about.html>
Jasch, Mary. “Walk on the Water”. Dig It! Magazine. 1 February 2004.
<http://www.dig-itmag.com/features/grounds_story/109_0_4_0_M/>
“Mission”. PublicArtFund.org. 2007.
<http://www.publicartfund.org/pafweb/about/about_paf.htm>