Public art and urban space : toward a collaborative design model

Abstract

Although art and architecture have always shared a deep connection and association, over the past century they have developed to become two separate and autonomous practices. In today's age of information, the notion of specialist is becoming increasingly specific which has generated the need to formulate teams of experts to carry out the implementation of public projects. In this respect, the role of contemporary artists in such design teams is becoming an increasingly relevant topic of discussion amongst stakeholders of public space. As a critical reaction, this study challenges the conventional methods of place-making in the public realm and investigates the various influences of a collaborative approach between artists and architects toward the humanisation of public space. Furthermore, through this approach, the question as to whether artists should be more involved in such projects was also determined. The study illustrates that there is an evident tension between the two creative practices that has significantly challenged a collaboration between them. The exploratory account of this tension suggests that both disciplines have democratised space in similar fashions, and have therefore established a platform for a collaborative relationship to flourish. This therefore implies that any attempt to determine whether such a design model should or should not be adopted is irrelevant. Rather, is it crucial to expose the benefits and obstacles of such an approach in order to allow any such decisions to be generated out of the initiative of the stakeholders of the public realm.