Exploring Outdoor Public Art in Cities and Parks
Public art is a way for communities to express identity, spark dialogue, and create shared spaces of joy and connection. From iconic sculptures to immersive installations, outdoor art makes culture accessible to everyone without barriers. Whether you stumble upon it in a park, plaza, or city square, it invites interaction, reflection, and play. Exploring these works helps us better understand how art shapes not only our spaces but also the way we live and thrive together.
What is Public Art, and Why Does it Matter in Cities and Parks?
Public art is any kind of artwork that has been placed in the public domain. It’s often found outdoors or indoors in places like shopping malls, where it’s accessible to all.
It can take many forms, from sculptures to murals, and may incorporate interactive or educational elements. It’s often used to commemorate specific events or to represent values that society wishes to reinforce. Or, it could be to foster community connection, joy, play, and conversations. Often, the artwork is funded by a combination of public and private sources and grassroots donations, which help bring the community together.
Iconic Works That Shape Public Art Conversations
Public art is actually pretty cool when you think about it. You’re walking along and come across a massive sculpture from a world-renowned artist. No fees, no guards to keep you away, just you, the art, and how you want to engage with it.
Artwork has many purposes, but one of its most important is creating a sense of community and shaping the conversations in that community. This helps stimulate our minds, thoughts, and creativity, enabling us to live, work, and play better together with better mental well-being for ourselves and each other.
Now, let’s examine some iconic artworks that help shape community conversations
(Source: NYC Public Art Fund).
Olafur Eliasson, Waterfalls, New York City, 2008
Olafur Eliasson’s New York City Waterfalls features four large-scale artificial waterfalls placed along the East River. It combines fog, mirrors, and lights to blur the boundaries between the real and the unreal, highlighting the interplay between nature and urbanity and bringing an element of natural wonder into the heart of the city.
This example shows how public art can be used to transform our sense of space. Even though the waterfalls are artificial, they transform the urban environment into a natural wonder, also prompting us to consider how we fit into those surroundings.
La Grande Vitesse, 1969 — Michigan
Alexander Calder’s La Grande Vitesse is an iconic example of modern art that sparked immediate backlash at the time. Modern and conceptual art were still in their infancy, and for many at the time, spending public funds on abstract sculptures seemed nonsensical.
Standing 54 feet long, 43 feet high, and 30 feet wide, with striking red steel forms, it was designed to offer dramatically different views from each corner of Calder Plaza, where it stands today as a free summer activity in Michigan. Despite its controversial origins, it has long been accepted as part of our culture.
Yuri Suzuki, Sonic Bloom, London, UK, 2021
If you visit London, UK, check out Sonic Bloom by sound artist Yuri Suzuki. This interactive sound installation looks like a Dr. Seuss book come to life, with each sculpture producing a unique sound of its own. As you move through the landscape, you create your own immersive and interactive soundscape, a truly unforgettable experience to enjoy.
Be sure to take lots of photos and videos so you can capture the joy of it all. The EcoFlow RAPID Pro-X Power Bank features 27,650mAh of air-travel-friendly charging to keep your phone charged and ready to go.
CS Design and Lateral Office, Impulse, Montreal, Canada, 2015
This collaboration between CS Design and Lateral Office in Montreal, Canada, is a fantastic winter activity to enjoy. It uses a series of seesaws equipped with LED lights and speakers that produce sound as they move. The interactive nature of the light-up swings invites public engagement, removing the feeling of “look but don’t touch” that keeps people at bay. Instead, it transforms a simple urban plaza into a public playground where people can come and enjoy, and spark curiosity, conversations, and community connections.
Public Art and Community Life: Engagement, Joy, and Well-Being
When we think of public art not just as something for people to look at, but as a way to bring joy, engagement, and well-being to a community, it offers a range of benefits, from creating lively gathering places for fun trips and days out to fostering safe spaces and neighborhoods. It can even boost local businesses, leading to increased well-being.
In urban settings, art can make the environment softer, more vibrant, and more inviting, especially in marginalized communities that lack green spaces or other design elements.
Bring along the EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus to the next exhibit and make a family day of it. Play music, recharge your devices, take pictures, and have fun while engaging with your community.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Considered Public Art?
Public art is any art intended for display in the public domain, typically outside or otherwise accessible to all. It comes in many forms, from sculpture to murals, visual arts, performances, and even educational or interactive components.
How Is Public Art Funded?
Arts institutions or local governments often commission public art, but community groups, businesses, foundations, corporations, and individual donors also contribute. Some use it for the tax write-offs, while others allocate it as part of their corporate social responsibility and to foster community pride.
Final Thoughts
Public art reminds us that creativity belongs to everyone. Whether it’s Calder’s bold steel forms, Suzuki’s whimsical soundscapes, or light-filled swings in Montreal, each piece transforms its environment into a place of wonder, conversation, and community connection. Next time you’re out exploring, take a moment to experience these shared artworks and capture the joy they bring. With the EcoFlow RAPID Pro-X Power Bank, you can keep your devices charged while you snap photos, record sounds, and share your art adventures without missing a moment.