The Resonances of Public Art: Thoughts on the Notion of Co‐Productive Acts and Public Art

Abstract

AbstractUsing a serendipitous public art encounter as a point of departure, this article explores how what I call co‐productive acts are an important part of building relationships between individuals, public art installations, communities, and public art programs. This article is a “thought piece”; as such, I present an introductory examination into an important arena in need of further inquiry: public art and co‐productive acts. As will be made clear, co‐productive acts are different from the production of public art, co‐productions, and collaborations. Though all are important parts of the making of public art, they occur at different times in the life cycle of a piece, and involve different people and interactions. Many people are unaware of their community's public art program (e.g., the process, the funding, and the collection); however, when they experience a piece of public art, there is a possibility that they might have a very different understanding of the piece, themselves, the collection, and the public art program. As a contribution to the literature and practice of public art, I pose questions and suggest directions for further inquiry that might help the field consider how co‐productive acts are, indeed, an important part of the life of public art (installations and municipal public art programs).