Putting The "Public" Back in Public Art

My vision for this project is one of Community. The Community, at least here in Phoenix, is very involved in Art. Thousands of people turn out for the First Friday Art Walk every month. They look. They like. As my penny jar fills up, we can measure this appreciation… not just of my art, but of art in general. I notice that many donors read the information and participate without even knowing which of the pieces on the wall are mine.  Their appreciation (physically represented by the pennies) will be the stuff of which the art is created. That is the first way we are putting the public back in public art. They, and their appreciation of art, are providing the raw materials.

This blog is the second way. By following the blog and adding comments and suggestions, everyone will have the opportunity of being involved in the design of The Piece. At this point I have no idea what it will look like. I envision this as a communal decision with discussion taking place here on this blog. Most “Public Art” is decide upon by a small group of “experts” and the community has no say. We, here in Phoenix, have seen this backfire with loud public outcries over the content, and the cost, of some of the art. There has also been public dismay over the fact that local artists have been overlooked in favor of out-of-town artists. My hope is that the Community will participate in designing and building the installation and those areas of discontent will not be an issue.

In addition to helping to design The Piece, the Community, via this blog, can participate in making other decisions about the art: It’s symbolism/meaning; it’s title; where it might be displayed, how it can tie into an as yet unnamed charitable component; what to do with it when it’s done.  Further, they can sign up to help “construct” it.

I will be posting pages to address each of these areas where people can participate. There will be links to these posts under the heading of “Discussion Pages” on the left side of the blog so that comments can be added all year long while we make these communal decisions.

That is my vision… to have people participate in the entire project and to create a truly Public piece of art. If you have ever wanted to be involved in “The Creative Process,” from beginning to end, this is your chance!