Public art is executed in any medium and its purpose is to bring attention to the world around us. It serves to enhance our awareness to what the community values as important and invites us to question our beliefs. Public art helps to unify a community is an important factor in transforming the image of a city by visually enriching the public environment. It can ascend to several stories to draw attention to the dimension of height or in turn, it can draw attention to the surfaces on which we walk
The city of Miami is a vibrant hub for outdoor art. Located in Downtown Miami , Bayfront Park, Slide Mantra, carved from 29 tons of Carrara marble by artist Isamu Noguchi, This sculpture measures over ten feet and is a public slide for children. Steps climb up the back and the descent is spiral.The main idea is the resonance of mutual trust and accord between people.
In the Government Center, in downtown Miami, artist Carol Brown has created aluminum sculptures of different-sized vertical figures. The work reflects the artist’s exploration of kinetic power and inspires a reaction from all its viewers.
Public art is not limited to large cities like Miami where important art fairs take place every year. Smaller towns like Bangor, Maine support public art. The Luther H. Peirce Memorial is a historical piece commemorating the Penobscot River Log-Drivers. The sculpture serves to remind the public about the skill needed for logdrivers to drive logs down the river. One famous chief, Joseph Attean and guide to the famous poet Thoreau met his death in a logdriving activity.
No matter what the theme public art is a welcome addition to the identity of a city and is an important catalyst in getting the viewer to explore that community.