6 October 2010

Public art symposia begin in Dundee

The first in a series of symposia looking at the future of public art in Scotland gets underway at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design’s Visual Research Centre today.

'Mapping the Future: Public Art in Scotland' is a public event and features a programme of artist-led actions and interdisciplinary talks looking at the current state of public art in Scotland, and how it can be developed in the future.

Presentations examining successful projects will set the context in which artists, designers, planners, users, and funders can debate contemporary issues. The discussion will concentrate on the relationship between the perspectives of artists/practitioners, and stakeholders - the 'people who want'.

Local, national and international speakers and groups will be participating in the symposia, which take place on Wednesday, October 6th, 13th and 20th. The VRC is located within Dundee Contemporary Arts and the events take place from 10am to 4.30pm on each of these days.

Professor Tracy Mackenna, Acting Dean of DJCAD and one of the event organisers, said ‘Mapping the Future: Public Art in Scotland’ would help facilitate new ideas and ways of thinking about public art.

'Through the creative exploration of issues and ideas, we are contributing to new strategies and motivations for positive social change,' she said. 'Outcomes of the event will include the articulation of a way forward, and a series of recommendations to inform the development of imaginative and effective approaches to commissioning, policy-making, research and creative practice in Scotland.

'Interdisciplinary relationships, recognising the cultural meanings of place and space, ultimately stimulate and develop cultural production, participation and urban renewal. By progressing the conversation we hope to open up new forms of public engagement through the sensitive and confident commissioning of truly exceptional artworks.'

Looking at public art within Scotland’s specific social, cultural and economic landscape, the event will explore experiences, expectations and needs while using innovative forms of social involvement to ask how places provide for the needs of people, influences the growth of new types of space.

The first symposium (October 6th) will examine examples of good practice, while the second (October 13th) will focus on the state of public art in Scotland, and consider the impact of the current economic recession on the funding of public art projects

The third, and final, symposium (October 20th) will bring together the results of the two previous events to be discussed further. The day will conclude with the articulation of a way forward and a series of recommendations.

More information is available at www.vrc.dundee.ac.uk/mapping/.

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