THIS IS HOW WE CREATE ART IN PUBLIC SPACE
Every year, new works of art appear in public spaces in Groningen. These works are commissioned. Kunstpunt Groningen commissions new work on behalf of the Municipality of Groningen. The reason for commissioning a work of art can vary widely, for example the construction of a new school or a parking garage, or special urban developments such as neighbourhood renewal. The working method is almost always the same.
DISCUSSIONS WITH STAKEHOLDERS
We find it very important that the work of art fits in well with its surroundings. That is why we pay a lot of attention to the location and the residents or users of that area. Before we start a commission, we have conversations with the parties involved (designers, residents, schools, participants, policymakers etc.), visit the location and study the plans. This research into potential leads for an art commission is carried out together with one of our advisors.
Then we form an art committee. The art committee includes representatives of the target group (local residents, school teachers etc.), designers (architect, landscape architect, urban designer), an advisor and a project manager from Kunstpunt Groningen. The art committee discusses the commission and makes a final decision.
ARTIST
Kunstpunt Groningen and the advisor then select artists who fit the brief, and the art committee selects one or more artists from this group. In an extensive information meeting with the art committee, residents inform the artists about the commission. This meeting is followed by conversations with the artist(s) or presentations. Based on this, the art committee will choose an artist to create a preliminary design.
UNVEILING
The artist presents this preliminary design to the art committee, which then provides feedback. This should eventually result in a final design that the artist actually carries out. Finally, there is the delivery and celebratory unveiling of the work of art with those involved.
Onthulling
In the commission archives, you can see what we have realised in this way in previous years.
EXPECTED PUBLIC ART PROJECTS IN 2021
A new park, the Zuiderplantsoen, will be built on top of the new sunken Zuidelijke Ring ring road. Together with Combinatie Herepoort, we are developing a vantage point near the Hereweg.
We asked architecture studio Studio LA to create the design. The result is the Memory Balcony, a meeting place that incorporates elements of the old motorway. The new work therefore gives a nod to the past. With a unique view of the changes in the area, the Memory Balcony connects the past with the present and the future.
The construction of the vantage point began in January 2021.