[TheForge] Public Art

[RIES NIEMI]

I am starting to put together info for a presentation at the Abana
conference next summer on public art by blacksmiths.
I am interested in hearing from anyone who has done public projects.

Public art is a lot like pornography- hard to define, but I would know it if
I saw it.

My current working description is:

Usually, but not always funded by governmental agencies- cities, states and
counties, or quasi governmental bodies such as rapid transit districts,
sports stadiums, or libraries.

The artist blacksmith is chosen to design and fabricate the work.

Original artwork- not reproduction work or work based on historical photos
or designs.

Could be sculpture, decorative ornamental iron, furniture, hardware, or
other building parts.

Often integrated with architecture and design, the artist/blacksmith is
often involved at the earliest stages of designing the building or space.


Probably not: 
private commissions for houses or commercial buildings
sculpture made "on spec" then sold to someone who puts it in front of a
building.
Designs by others- architects, decorators, or clients showing a picture from
a book and saying "make one like this".

My idea is to talk about a category of work different from just making
railings or driveway gates. Instead, this stuff is usually mandated by law
on public buildings, and they try to make it actually "art" even though
nobody can define exactly what that is. However, generally speaking these
jobs allow the artist/blacksmith more lattitude to really stretch out, to do
more personal or sculptural work, to put high quality work in the public
arena where everyone can see it, as opposed to in private residences.

Please email me if you have completed or are working on projects like this.
I will be gathering slides, and talking about the process in general, how to
get this kind of work, the good and bad points of these jobs, and discussing
specific projects.
On the one hand, these are the dream jobs where someone says "heres $50,000-
make whatever you want. On the other hand, there are all kinds of rules and
regs, buearocratic hassles, and endless meetings with the requirements of
dressing up and being social.