UL Lafayette: CDW: I-49 Connector: Public Art

				I-49 Connector: Art in the Public Realm


				BACK \| NEXT TOPICS introduction public process case studies alignments garden urbanism alt. street links public realm neighborhoods lighting sound study public art conclusion recognition	Ever since the 1980's controversy over Richard Sierra's Tilted Arc in Federal Plaza, New York City (a "public" art piece that was generally detested by the people who regularly used the space), there has been an increasing awareness of the need to more effectively engage the affected community in the generation and selection of the art. This awareness has lent support for a more integrated planning approach to public art, as opposed to the "plop" art approach where individual works of art are simply planted in a space without regard to context. An integral part of this planning process is the meaningful participation of the community What Public Art Can Do? Community participants in the pre design charrettes indicated a desire for the introduction of public art into the I-49 Connector project. In response to this interest, one of the charges for the Community design Workshop was to identify opportunities for artists' interventions along the I-49 Connector within the context of the larger plan being developed. A priority was the integration of the art into the overall design proposals for the area. A review of public art precedents revealed that public art, when supported by the community, could help to successfully establish and define the identity of a place. It can provide both cultural and historical orientation along with spatial orientation, helping to transform undifferentiated space into meaningful place. Art also can humanize public space that might otherwise intimidate and overwhelm. By providing opportunities for tactile, visual and metaphoric interaction between people and place, public art allows for moments of surprise, revelation, and aesthetic pleasure. These opportunities promote a higher quality of life that, in turn, can engender greater economic success for the community. Sites for Public Art The sites identified as the most amenable to the intervention of some for of public art are along the sound wall, transportation areas, the gateway into Lafayette, St. Genevieve's Church and Community Center, and the walkway of the green space. Strategies for Community Participation The planning process, so far, has identified the following strategies for eliciting community participation in the development of public art: Involve area artists, residents, and students through participation in existing programs sponsored by the regional arts council. Through the arts council and its constituencies, develop a set of criteria for art interventions in the project. Locate funding sources to sponsor a competition based on the established criteria. Continue interactions with various community organizations throughout the design development and implementation phases. In an effort to initiate community participation in the development of images for public art, workshops with community children were conducted under the auspices of the Acadiana Arts Council's summer arts program in the park and recreational centers. Children in the program made paper collages in response to various themes presented at each session (these themes included such ideas as "My House," "Neighborhood Garden," and "Acadian Wildlife"). These images have been adapted for use in the murals and banners that appear in the presentation drawings of the project. At the public meetings, planners, residents and community groups have all expressed enthusiasm for the inclusion of public art in the I-49 Connector Project. The challenge is to generate funding for an art competition and for various community projects that can engage residents in the development and selection of art for their community. Meanwhile, the planning process continues. This project is long term, and may take as long as 10 years for full implementation. In that time, all opportunities for community participation should be explored and encouraged.

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Document last revised Friday, April 23, 2004 12:20 PM