The Circumstances of Art in the Public Space

Abstract

The public space and the art within it have taken different forms and functions in history, namely changing from being an agora, to present-day so-called hybrid forms. The resulting state of forms and functions of art in the public space depends on several determinants, including freedom and restrictions concerning the public space. While under totalitarian regimes priorities and restrictions prevail, after the fall of totalitarian regimes almost unlimited freedom comes into being. Consequently, questions arise regarding who makes decisions on the forms of art placed in the public space, and on what grounds such decisions are made. In our article, in taking the example of one city we are looking for the answers to questions whether and how it is possible to map the art in the public urban space, as well as who, and on what grounds, makes decisions regarding expressions of art in the public space. Methodologically, we have based our research on the identification and analysis of relevant documents of cultural policy related to a given place and on interviews with a chosen relevant expert who is involved in the public space.