FAQs
Where can I discuss the Big Art Project further?
To discuss all things Public Art, there's a Facebook Group dedicated to the Big Art Project to visit and air your thoughts.
What if I missed the series on TV?
Go to 4oD Catch-up to watch the series for free for the month after broadcast.
How were the different sites chosen?
In October 2005 Channel 4 invited people right across the UK to get involved in the Big Art Project. Over 1,400 members of the public said they wanted some Big Art for their communities and proposed a local site. The Big Art selection team then tackled the huge task of working out which of those sites should go forward based on a clearly defined set of criteria.
Have all the sites managed to realise some Big Art? Will all the works be finished during the series?
Progress on all the sites is followed in the series and here on the website. Some of the Big Art projects have been completed and others will continue their progress after the series has been broadcast.
How were the artists selected? Who selected them?
Curators, appointed by the Big Art Trust, have been helping communities develop their ideas, choose artists, and manage their projects.
Who are the artists?
The following artists and arts groups were selected:
greyworld (Burnley site)
Jaume Plensa (St.Helens site)
Jeppe Hein (Isle of Mull site)
muf (Newham site)
Rafael Lozano-Hemmer (Cardigan site)
Claire Oboussier and Vong Phaophanit (North Belfast site)
How involved were the local communities?
The local communities have been deeply involved at every step of the process.
Is it all sculpture?
The various Big Art Projects take many forms, including sculpture, 'invisible' paintings and interactive sound installation.
Who pays for it?
The Big Art Project is an ambitious public art commissioning initiative, instigated by Channel 4 and supported by Arts Council England and The Art Fund. Public art funding typically has a snowball dynamic gathering a coalition of funding partners along the way – the Big Art projects are no exception and funding partners include Regional Development Agencies, local authorities and the like.
What happens after the series ends?
The Big Art Project is more than just a TV series and various projects have been set up with local communities, taking place before broadcast and continuing after.
Who else is involved apart from Channel 4?
Arts Council England, The Art Fund, local authorities, arts and community organizations – a rich mix of partners all of whose help was vital to realising some very ambitious projects.
What constitutes public art?
Legally, the Copyright, Designs and Patents act 1988 defines Public Art as sculptures, buildings, models for buildings and "works of artistic craftsmanship" which are permanently situated in a public place or in premises open to the public. However, artists also of course make temporary work in the public realm – Antony Gormley's Event Horizon, for example, was a huge hit in London while this series was being made.
What's the Big Art Mob?
The Big Art Mob is a growing, award-winning user-created record of Public Art, freely accessible to all. It aims to create the first comprehensive map of Public Art across the UK with the help of interested individuals right across the country who contribute photos direct from their mobile phones (or their computers).
Can I still contribute to Big Art Mob after the series ends?
Yes, the Big Art Mob will continue to gather members and contributions after the series broadcasts.
How long has the Big Art Project been going?
Planning started over four years ago and communities around the UK were first invited to nominate sites for a local piece of Public Art in October 2005.
How can we get some Big Art / public art in our own community?
If you are interested in getting involved with your own public art project, Artcheck can help you get the ball rolling, providing a framework for thinking, planning and getting going, with practical tips on how to identify sites and suitable types of art, how to build a team and how to make it all happen. The TV series, of course, provides plenty of insights into what it takes to get public art made.
