Public art is a loose term we use to describe any art project — in any media — that has been
designed and crafted for the public domain. Often located outside and always accessible to all,
public art can take any shape or form, from a reflective bean to a giant rubber duck, because it’s
not the work that defines it, it’s the mission to bring art and design to the masses that does.
Here on HuffPost Arts & Culture, we strive to follow in the footsteps of the artists who produce
stunning pieces of public works, taking inspiration from individuals who believe in the
democratization of art. We love nothing more than to bring the unseen corners of the art world,
whether they’re located in galleries, on the internet, or on the streets to hungry readers who may
or may not already be wooed by the beauty of creativity. We hope to constantly question and
challenge the boundaries of what is art, showcasing not just the banner exhibitions we love or the
auctions that amaze us, but the efforts of countless emerging and outsider artists who truly believe
in the power and value of art and art education.
A. Mike Kelley’s “Mobile Homestead” (2005)
Kelley’s homestead is a full size reproduction of the Michigan home Kelley grew up in. The front of
the house is designed like a mobile home, able to drive around Detroit completing acts of public
service. The back end, permanently located at
the Museum of Contemporary Art in Detroit,
serves as a space open for social services
including haircuts, barbecues, or locales where
homeless people can pick up their mail. The
portable aspect of the project will travel to Los
Angeles this summer as part of MOCA’s Mike
Kelley retrospective.
B. Anish Kapoor’s “Cloud Gate” (2006)
Kapoor’s iconic “Cloud Gate“ takes the form of
an 100-ton stainless steal bean, located in the
center of Chicago’s Millennium Park. The
massive stainless steel sculpture, supposedly
inspired by liquid mercury, reflects a warped
alternative of the Chicago cityscape in its
seamless refection. If you haven’t seen the
colossal alien form for yourself, you’re probably
familiar with the idea thanks to the onslaught of
selfies that undoubtably follow a visit to the
classy funhouse mirror.
C. Florentijn Hofman’s Giant Rubber Duck (2007)
Just how big is the biggest rubber duck in the
world? In case you’re curious, it’s 85 feet tall
and weighs in at 1,300 pounds. The supersized waterbird is one of a series made by
Hofman, all identically designed yet differently
sized. The birds have been making
international appearances everywhere from
Hong Kong to São Paulo to Pittsburgh, winning
the hearts of many in the process. “The Rubber
Duck knows no frontiers,“ the Dutch artist said
of the creation. “It doesn’t discriminate... and
doesn’t have a political connotation.”
D. Candy Chang’s “Before I Die” Mural (2011)
When artist Chang was grappling with the loss
of a loved one, she turned to art for comfort.
The Taiwanese American artist wrote the words
“Before I die I want to _____” on an abandoned
building in her neighborhood, allowing
passersby to express their thoughts and
dreams anonymously. Today over 450 “Before I
Die” walls live in over 60 countries, written in
over 30 languages. The stunning mutual bucket
list serves as a reminder of what’s really
important in life.
E. Yarn-Bombed Andy Warhol Bridge (2013)
In 2013, Pittsburgh’s Andy Warhol Bridge was
transformed into the United States’ biggest -
and probably most colorful - example of yarnbombing. The jaw-dropping endeavor,
imagined by a group of craft enthusiasts who
call themselves “Knit the Bridge,” involved
over 580 beautifully knitted (and sometimes
crocheted) blankets that were sewn together
and draped over various parts of the massive
bridge. The yarn-splosion spruced up the
otherwise dull yellow structure, proving that a
little public art can go a long way in terms of
civic design.
