Issue link: https://townofcary.uberflip.com/i/320439
Chapter 5 ! Cary Public Art Opportunities 23 Civic and Community Identity In a workshop for this P ublic A rt M aster P lan, severa l participants raised the question "What is the character of Cary?" At a follow - up session se v eral days later participants were asked to help answer this question. Some participants suggested it was Cary's forested, green landscape and the commi tment to good design. Others said Cary's character was grounded in its heritage; for example, tobacco farms and rail - borne commerce played an important role in Cary's history, landscape and local economy. Still, other participants experienced difficult y in describ ing Cary's character for a lack of prominent characteristics. C ivic, cultural , sports , and o ther publicly - owned facilities – are places for public art to tell community stories and promote community identity. Facilities with s ocial and recreational functions, such as a library or sports center, or more utilitarian functions, such as a wastewater management plant, bridge or retaining wall , can be treated as part of a larger system that supports community and culture. Every one of these facilities that is physically accessible and visible to the public can be an ideal opportunity to speak about Cary and provide a personal and community - engaging experience. Themes and Opportunities Public art will vary according to the type of structure and use of the public facility . The following facilities offer different opportunities based on their structure and use : • Public utilities , such as wastewater treatment or stormwater facilities , could host public art that explores themes of cons ervation and sustainability , and reflect s the Town's innovations in these areas. Depending on its visibility, the art might be freestanding or integrated into infrastructure elements such as stormwater swales, retaining walls, culverts, power distribution facilities, and pumping stations. • The Town library and branch offices are institutions that explore Cary's history and culture . These 'knowledge" venues offer opportunities for public art to reflect upon any of Cary's historical and cultural themes. "Kn owledge" venues are ideal for interpretative , educational art that memorializes themes in a clear, explanatory manner. Interpretative art is an expressive, but not abstract, art form usually accompanied by signage that tells a story. Interpretive art is important in communities like Cary where the historic and cultural identity is not as evident in the physical environment due to rapid growth and suburbanization that has occurred . • Cultural arts facilities are places where public art can be displayed in new, surprising, and even whimsical ways. `The theme of the art is not as important as the experience of the product. Integrated, functional , and freestanding art projects would be ideal at cultural facilities. The Cary Arts Ce nter is a good examples of t he variety of locations where, and ways in which public art can be displayed; the outdoor classroom, plaza design with solar pavement lighting , the architectural Fly Tower with glass sculptured forms , as well as the integrated art in the interior of the bu ilding using historical themes of the site and community can be looked to for inspiration . • Regional sport centers attract large crowds and are an opportunity to introduce important events or people related to the sport o r site , , in a way that creates a f un and enjoyable experience for visitors. Functional art objects such as outdoor seating ; art integrated into buildings, gates, and infrastructure ; and freestanding art are all appropriate types of public art at sport centers. • Finally, the Town's infrast ructure includes streets, transit facilities, and bus shelters; streetscape elements, and everyday objects are opportunities for artistic flai r that unifies the public realm and t ells the Cary story. The art themes for these projects should be site specifi c , and will depend on t he type of infrastructure. For example, integrated or partially integrated art is preferable over freestanding projects. Functional art can energize transit facilities, such as bus shelters and bicyclist racks.