Urban Art and Public Space

Abstract

Art renovation, as stated by André Gide, lies on the search for new ways of linking the concepts of «base», «earth» and «town». Today, many of these expectations are placed in public art, since it presents new ways of combining space, territory and public. Now, in the era of globalization these terms are difficult to determine, thus having an influence in the definition of «public art». The text tackles the difficulties found by public art to distinguish itself from other public recreational practice as well as to achieve the factual precision of a work of art intended for the general public. Also, it studies the conditions for artistic practice to become a privileged meeting point for different levels and classes of citizens interacting with town planning, architecture and visual arts.