Olafur Eliasson on the role of public art



I came across this article from 2015 that includes an interview with Eliasson about how urban design and public art is affects our psyche. When asked about what is the most important thing that an artist can contribute to a public space, Eliasson comments that to have a successful public space, you need to allow it to become a performative space or an evolutionary space. He feels that these atmospheres/ spaces must be allowed to grow in order for the art to truly ‘nurture a space and its public hospitality’. Another interesting topic that is brought up is if there should be more importance placed on the method of creation of public art or the final object itself. Eliasson’s response that some art can be representations or functional in the memory of a great legacy provides an argument that the final product is important as it is lasting and what people will remember. However, he also comments that ‘the translation between thinking and doing is the main exercise of an artist’; highlighting that the ideas and methodology are also significant for the artwork.


- Maha

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