Public installations and sculptures are an incredible way to bring art to the masses. Some of these works are permanent and were officially commissioned by their cities while others are more guerilla-style urban pieces that are intended to be ephemeral and make only brief appearances.
I love work that makes a statement, makes me think, inspires me or sometimes just simply makes me smile. These particular works are more about the 'art of today' and less about the traditional contemporary sculpture we are used to seeing (but that could be a whole other list). And although this list can easily be eight times as long, here are a select few pieces (some a bit edgier than others) that have left an impression on my mind. Feel free to add your own favorites to the list down below.
Top Row
1. "The Big Yellow Rabbit" by Florentijin Hofman in Örebro, Sweden. 2011
2. Pablo Curutchet's "Box" in Cordoba, Spain. 2006
3. Monica Bonvicini's two-way mirrored toilet in London entitled "Don't Miss A Sec". 2003-2004
4. "Radioactive Control" in Hamburg was created by the Spanish collective Luzinterruptus. 2011
5. Mark Jenkins. Various locations
Second Row
1. Gundam Robot. Tokyo. 2009
2. Phantom Statues in Rhyolite, a ghost town near Death Valley, CA.
3. Bruce Monro's "Eden Project" field of light in Cronwall, England. 2008-2009
4. "Kaws" 'Companion Figure' outside The Standard in New York City until October 2011
5. "Rabbit" by Gelitin in Italy. 2005
Third Row
1. Ligorano/Reese's "Main Street Meltdown" in Foley Square New York City. 2008
2. Joshua Allen Harris' "Inflatable Bag Subway Art". 2008
3. "Hot With A Chance Of Late Storm" by The Glue Society in Adelaide, Australia. 2006
4. "Pixel Pour 2.0" located on Mercer Street of New York City. Unknown Artist. 2008
5. Urs Fischer's "Untitled (Lamp/Bear) on Park Avenue in New York City until October 2011.
Bottom Row
1. Lulu Guinness "Be A Pin-Up"" in London. 2011
2. Issac Cordal's miniature sculpture "Electoral Campaign" in a puddle in Berlin. 2011
3. Tom Fruin's "Kolonihavehus" in Copenhagen. 2010
4. "The Gates" by Christo in New York City. 2005
5. Sonia Bravia's "Play-Doh Bunnies" all around New York City. 2007
Images: As linked above.
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Not exactly a public work of art, but I've always been moved by the "ghost bikes" in DC that pop up to memorialize bicyclists who have been killed.
One in my city: http://dcist.com/2010/04/ghost_bike_for_constance_holden_app.php
and for general information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_bike
Some of these are really creepy.
Where's Marilyn!?! Just kidding. I love this stuff. Especially the gigantic pink bunny. So surreal.
I love these things, there is this site that is specifically devoted to all things art outside:
outsiderart.tumblr.com
WaterFire!
Within "The Big Yellow Rabbit" photo, the placement of the tree in the background is unfortunate. >.<
So many bunnies! :3
"guerilla-style urban pieces" Hilarious euphemism.
I'm really not a fan of the floating body, although it's interesting conceptually.
I love the way in which street artists make us rethink our public spaces. I wish that more communities embraced creative spaces and use of spaces like this.
Or in Milwaukee we can have the Bronze Fonz in lieu of art. Awesome.
Interesting, but I don't think I really LIKE most of them. I'd NOTICE them, for sure. I wish more public art was something I'd like to see for a long time, like a Calder stabile or Henry Moore sculpture or something... Most of these are too "cute" and "of the moment" which will not seem current for long.
@Mary Wynn - thank god we never got the big blue shirt!
Some of these are cool, but overall I agree with SherryBinNH.
Im glad someone else thinks many of these are creepy - & those that arent (& some that are) are rabbits...
"Puddle People Having a Meeting" is nicely creepy. But my favourite is the giant box robot.
Most of these are meant to be temporary installations.
I think many of these are very poor public art examples. A shame, because it can be done very well.
You left off one of my favorites: Denver's Big Blue Bear
http://denverconvention.com/about-us/public-art
I liked the quirky statues around Bratislava:
http://www.bratislavahotels.com/bratislava-old-town-statues
My favorite is Anish Kapoor's "Cloud Gate" in Chicago. It literally does what the best artwork usually does metaphorically: it gives the viewer a glass through which to view their world.
(For a home decor/design blog, it raises a useful question: what art is the best to live with, as opposed to looking at once and liking and then getting bored of it....)
http://www.chicagoarchitecture.info/Building/636/Cloud-Gate.php
Also, it's striking how many in the original post reference children's toys. I wonder if they're an easier "sell" to public art committees, who are leery of controversy.
I do love the golden bunny....
Wow. Half of these are down right freakin' creepy.
Some of my favorite public art is on the utility boxes in Emeryville, CA. Hilarious, and a treat when you are driving or walking around. http://www.ci.emeryville.ca.us/index.aspx?NID=838
Do you need permits to do a big project like some of these?