Just how 'public' is Public Art? How much influence do you have over what lands up where you live? What do everyday people really like? The Big Art Project asks all the big questions about Public Art.
The latest Big 4 – Tony Heaton’s Monument to the Unintended Performer (Artist's impression)
New BIG 4 revealed
28 May 2012 sees the unveiling of Monument to the Unintended Performer at Channel 4’s Press Launch for the Paralympics, attended by Lord Coe. This is the latest commission for the BIG 4, Channel 4’s on going public art project outside the headquarters on Horseferry Road, London.
Monument to the Unintended Performer was designed by disabled sculptor and artist Tony Heaton. Tony wanted to use the structure of the Big 4 as one of four elements that would fuse together to form a new cohesive piece, which would provoke thought and celebrate Channel 4’s involvement and commitment to the Paralympics.
The figurative element is based on the famous classical Greek marble sculpture Discobolus – the discus thrower – by the Sculptor Myron. This image, evoking the spirit of the Olympics, is interposed with the third element, a circle, which represents the wheel of the international symbol of access. Lastly, the introduction of gold, silver and bronze as the fourth element, considers hierarchy.
The subtext of the piece is the assertion that disabled people are almost always the object of scrutiny and curiosity.
Antony Gormley: Angel of the North, Mark Wallinger: Ecce Homo and Robert Smithson: Spiral Jetty
What is Public Art? Find out more.
To view different examples of Public Art, visit the Big Art gallery.
Tony Cragg: Declination and Luke Jerram: Sky Orchestra
Photo credits (clockwise from top left):
Anthony Gormley Angel of the North (courtesy Gateshead Council, ©the artist and Jay Joplin/White Cube)
Mark Wallinger Ecce Homo (courtesy Anthony Reynolds Gallery, © the artist)
Robert Smithson Spiral Jetty (© Estate of Robert Smithson/licensed by VAGA New York NY. Courtesy James Cohan Gallery NY. Collection DIA Center for the Arts NY. Photo: G Gorgoni)
Luke Jerram Sky Orchestra (courtesy Luke Jerram Photo: Thierry Grobet)
Tony Cragg Declination (courtesy Lisson Gallery and the artist)
