Issue link: http://townofcary.uberflip.com/i/320439
Chapter 3 ! Public Art is… 11 0 3 ! Public Art Is… Public art has the power to energize public spaces, promote community engagement an d transform everyday places into attractive and meaningful environments. In parks and greenways, the town center , and in other destination places, public art has the potential to strengthen civic identity, community character and economic prosperity throu gh cultural expression. Public art is not new. For thousands of years, people have transformed places through artistic expression, such as wall (cave) murals, monuments, and sculpture. In the early years of the United States, public art was typically in the form of commemorative artworks expressed in cast bronze or carved stone monuments and sculptures of important civic events and people. These works of art were placed around public buildings and parks as a reminder and celebration of the past. Today, the form, materials and purposes of public art have greatly expanded. Artistic interpretation, technology, new materials, complicated forms and messages all contribute to the current public art lexicon. The placement of art has also evolved. In add ition to freestanding artworks, public art is now integrated into infrastructure, such as bridges, retaining walls and walkways, and can take on a functional role such as in the case of benches and bicycle racks. Public art is most successful when it is connected with the community in some way — through its history, culture, people, values or natural landscape. Whether the references are literal, metaphoric or abstract, the connection of the artwork to Cary promotes a dialogue about the Town's heritage an d cultural values, and reinforces the unique civic identity of the Town . Public Art C ategor ies The following is a general representation of the various types of public art. T hese categories are not mutually exclusive. 1. Functional: The primary purpose of this type of art project is functional or utilitarian , and serves a purpose in the public realm. The public art piece could be an embellishment of an object or a functional and artistic piece created entirely by the artist. Exampl es of functional public art include benches, bicycle racks, bus shelters, fences , and gates. 2. Object (or sculpture): A freestanding art project, physically independent of other site elements, is called object (or sculpture) art. Object art can consist of a wide variety of materials, including metals, wood, concrete, fiberglass, landscape, glass, and lighting elements. 3. Integrated: Art projects that are fully incorporated into the design of a larger project are referred to as integrated art. The process is always collaborative; artists work with architects, engineers, and other design professionals to create and install a work of art. Examples include bridges, retaining walls, walkways and buildings. 4. Interpretive: Public art with the primary purpose of ed ucating the public is referred to as ebing interpretative. The artwork might be self - explanatory or require a supplemental panel of facts explaining the project. 5. Monument: This is the most traditional type of public art. Monuments are typically cast in o r sculpted from granite, bronze , or marble. The earliest forms of public art in the United States include monuments depicting war heroes and respected civic and charitable leaders.