Urban Public Art - through eyes of a child

There is something about the inclusion of public art, that whether subconsciously or consciously adds so much character and vibrancy to a city. Whether or not it makes a difference is often questioned. However, I can tell you regardless of the outcome for others, it sure provides a significant amount of entertainment to my son Ethan, who’s eyes dart to moving flashes, bright colors and anything he can climb or sit on. For him it is not about the definition of “art” but about the variety and interruption of the street that he has to walk. It’s that distraction that you can tell makes him think about something different than what he was thinking about before the piece came into view. Not only does art and music affect how an individual feels, it also creates opportunity for people to communicate with one another, which leads to healthier neighborhoods and cities. Most major cities have natural scenery (think Denver, San Francisco, Miami) that frames the public art in our minds completing a strong visual reminder of a place. For smaller cities and all of those inland locations, the challenge is greater to create all man-made forms of public art. However, the results are equally as important. What better way to promote a smile, a laugh, or simply induce a variety of distracted thoughts than through a strong program on public art.