Public art seems to be enjoying a heyday in cities around the world, and this summer, many major public art initiatives will be popping up around the US. Below, a selection of works and programs in five US cities, moving from East Coast to West.
New York
New York City's Public Art Fund is celebrating its 40th anniversary by presenting installations including a new commission by Liz Glynn in Central Park that takes inspiration from a Gilded Age Fifth Avenue ballroom, Anish Kapoor's water funnel "Descension" in Brooklyn Bridge Park, and Katja Novitskova's "Earth Potential" in Manhattan's City Hall Park.
On the High Line, summer works include Sheila Hicks' "Hop, Skip, Jump, and Fly: Escape From Gravity," a vibrant installation of colorful, twisting tubes; Henry Taylor's "the floaters," a large-scale self-portrait reminiscent of David Hockney's paintings of Los Angeles swimming pools; and Darren Bader's "chess: relatives," in which visitors take the place of chess pieces.
Chicago
The city of Chicago has declared 2017 as the Year of Public Art. Ongoing offerings this summer include the Chicago Sculpture Exhibit, featuring 50 large-scale sculptures; and the new Public Art in Rogers Park Map, an online, interactive digital map of 70 murals and sculptures. A host of large-scale works are also being unveiled along the Riverwalk, beginning with a white-tailed deer by Tony Tasset and growing to include works by several fellow Chicago artists.
Minneapolis
The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden -- the first urban sculpture park of its kind in the US -- feted its grand reopening in June after a period of construction. Joining the 40-plus artworks already found there are 18 new pieces, among them Katarina Fritsch's blue rooster "Hahn/Cock," previously seen on London's Fourth Plinth, and "Black Vessel of a Saint," a concrete temple by Theaster Gates.
Tahoe
The crystal clear waters of Lake Tahoe will host the floating sculpture LAKA'LEUP with its message of combating climate change. By day, lake-goers will be encouraged to paddle board or kayak out to the installation. By night, data-driven storytelling, a musical score and spoken word will provide visitors with a multimedia experience. It will be on view August 4-13 on the North Shore and August 22-31 in South Lake Tahoe.
San Francisco
As the San Francisco Bay Area celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Summer of Love, it brings a light art installation to the Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park, transforming the all-white landmark with illuminated scenes inspired by the rare tropical flowers found inside (a nod to San Francisco's "flower children"). Throughout the summer, the show will take place nightly, once every 30 minutes.
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