What is Public Art?
«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.» - http://www.associationforpublicart.org/what-is-public-art/
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«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.»
Expressions of Public Art
The most traditional public art is that of monuments and statues, but many other forms have evolved in contemporary art, such as urban grafitties or Land/Earth art.
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Azulejo in Portugal
Many public and private institutions have supported art for the enjoyement of the public. In Lisbon we can enjoy it in the different underground stations. Our undergroung is relatively recent, it dates back to the 60's and artistic tiles were commissioned to artists like Maria Keil for the first stations, later on with the expansion of the underground network other art works were commissioned to carry on that tradition. A collection of photos of this nice tradition of AZULEJO in Portugal, that is preserved in the old buildings and façades, in railway stations, in churches and palaces - https://youtu.be/e91NDEon-z4 .
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Truck Art Project
A recent initiative by a spanish transport company decided to invite artists to paint their trucks, turning art mobile.
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Recycled Art - Trash Art
Amzing art projects and installations have been made with recycled materials and trash, it's all about creativity.
An installation in a Mall made with plastic bottles - https://vimeo.com/37188936
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A great collection of modern public sculptures and statues
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