Art in Public Space

Florentijn Hofman, "Rubber Duck", 138m

"Artists, designers, planners and architects alike must face the challenge of defining public space, as an opportunity to create or improve the sense of community among those who will determine the use, or abandonment of a place." - Ethan Kane, 2004

Tuesday's lecture was presented by Braddon Snape on creating art in public spaces.  He mostly talked about his own artistic practice and his experience creating public artworks.  These colossal pieces are enormous and cost thousands of dollars to make.  These works are often commissioned by groups such as the local councils or hospitals, because of this artist have to deal with certain restraints such as working within a set budget, conforming to a design brief, working as a team with other people like designers and architects, materials, their life spans and how they react to weathering, thinking of the public's reaction and staying true to who they are as an artist as well.  While interesting to learn about, the whole process of creating public art sounds exhausting!