People are brought together by art. Art presented in the open is the perfect antidote to people being trapped indoors and isolated as a result of the global pandemic.
Some aspects of the art industry are perceived as being overly exclusive, but nevertheless, outdoor art is free and open to the public. Whether it’s sculptured in parks or murals in cities, art in the open draws people in, creates communities, and shapes its surroundings.
Even for those who did not actively seek it out, art in open public areas becomes absorbed into people’s daily environments and embeds itself in their lives. It’s the mural that commuters pass by on their way to work, and it’s the sculpture that families picnic in front of. One of the greatest advantages of outdoor art is that it engages individuals who might not otherwise have had the chance to do so.
Outdoor art also brings people together. Art can elicit debate and conversation among individuals who may never have met otherwise. It has the potential to become synonymous with its surroundings, fostering a cultural identity that communities may be proud of.
The art is additionally elevated by the outdoor setting. It results in an organic work of art that is never static, but always interacts with and reflects its surroundings. Depending on whether it is day or night, whether it is in the sun or rain, or whether it is being enjoyed by a single person or a crowd, the appearance and significance of a piece of art can change.
The Fourth Plinth in London’s Trafalgar Square is home to some of the most well-known examples of outdoor art. Since 1998, a new work of art has been commissioned for display in London’s most historic square every few years. From Yinka Shonibare’s ‘Nelson’s Ship in a Bottle,’ a blue sculpture of a cockerel symbolizing regeneration, awaking, and strength,’ to Katharina Fritsch’s ‘Hahn/Cock,’ a blue sculpture of a cockerel symbolizing regeneration, awaking, and strength,’ millions of people have seen and found meaning in these outdoor works of art.
Many people closer to home will have posed in front of Jorge Marin’s ‘Wings of Mexico’ in Burj Plaza, with the Burj Khalifa looming in the background. The link between flight and the soaring heights of the Burj Khalifa is not lost.
Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, believes that public art and open-air art galleries should be encouraged throughout Dubai. It has been momentous at DIFC to bring a sculpture park to life for residents and visitors as part of this year’s Dubai Art Season.
The open-air art gallery, which is themed ‘The Harmony of Different Voices—a tribute to 50 years of the UAE,’ features 65 meticulously picked sculptures and paintings by local and international artists who have contributed to the UAE’s history, present, and future. The DIFC Sculpture Park provides a rich cultural experience as well as motivation to reflect on the Emirate’s history and progress, as well as strengthen Dubai’s burgeoning art scene.
