This is an exciting era for public art. Crossing the boundaries into architecture, urban planning, landscape architecture, new media technologies, and other arenas, the revitalization of public art has become a global trend, as more sensitivity to the nuance of site is increasingly valued. This residency will delve into a process that reflects key site-specific aspects and intrinsic elements: scale, history, social meaning and formal aesthetics.

Collaborative initiatives within architecture and landscape architecture will be highlighted. Each week, we will address different areas that are currently manifest in public art–social intervention and new media technologies, interdisciplinary collaborations with architecture, ecological and environmental interventions, and performance.

Prominent figures working in these areas will discuss their practice and offer critiques of participants’ work. In addition, resident artists will attend workshops that are designed specifically to learn the tools essential to working in the field of public art.

This program is an innovative model for interdisciplinary approaches to public art, covering topics such as reading from the plan, grant proposal writing, contracts, funding for self-initiated projects and workshops in fabrication. Thoughtful concepts for the site that engage in a process reflecting all its key aspects will be encouraged. Through the workshops and the guidance of faculty and guest lecturers, interdisciplinary and collaborative teams will be encouraged and artists will develop and present a professional proposal.

Taking full advantage of New York City’s rich resources, participants will engage with leading artists, architects, landscape architects, curators and critics in the field. SVA’s state-of-the-art digital sculpture facility offers the resources for experimenting with ideas in an environment conducive to creative exploration and supportive of logistical issues involved in public art pursuits. Sculpture facilities and facilities for working with custom electronics, high-end digital photography, video, 3D graphics and sound production equipment are available.

To explore making models for public installation, artists also have access to rapid prototyping, laser and CNC routing technologies. Computer workstations integrated into the sculpture facilities allow artists to create 3D models for output.

Current faculty and lecturers include: Anita Glesta, Deborah Gans, Craig Dykers, Jerry Van Eyck, Charlotte Cohen, Erin Donnely, Lauren Ross, Ed Woodham, Lucia Warck-Meister, Chrsitine Ewing, Marlina Gonzalez, Robert Krone, Ziv Lavi, Herve Bechy, Mary Ellen Carroll , and Jonathan Lippincott.