THEME 28
Public Art
(2-30 September, 2021)
Public art is a very broad concept. The first thing one usually thinks of when speaking of public art, is art works in outdoor public spaces, such as sculptures, statues, murals. But public art also includes works in indoor public places, like subways. Note also that public art can be permanent, semi-permanent, or sometimes ephemeral, as when it calls upon performance. André-Louis Paré, Director and Editor in Chief of the journal Espace, reminded us of these considerations in a webinar held earlier in 2021 on the IAAC Canada Facebook page.
By definition, public art is accessible; it enables a democratization of art from the outset. One can often interact with the works, sometimes even touch them. This proximity can elicit amazement and reflection, especially if the work is found in an unexpected place.
When working on an installation, location is your primary concern, as Annie Pelletier points out in this (accomplished) video segment from La Fabrique Culturelle: La femme qui habite la marina.
For the present call for proposals, we invite you to first think of a public space that you find inspiring and that you think would need an art piece. What is the history of the place? Is there a particular architectural or geological feature that strikes you? What story would you like to tell to reveal the secrets of this space? What kind of creative work would help you tell its story? A photo-montage, a performance, a sculptural installation, Land Art?