Surprise and Design in Public Works

Imagine an argument about the value of surprising public art and well-designed public space.

Interesting that I feel the need to add "well-designed" to public space. Public space ALWAYS exists so it MUST BE qualified. Public art is always an optional ADDITION and very, very rare when compared to the quantity of public space. [Perhaps I am wrong and the value of the gigantic ether of nearly invisible public space needs consideration. Many observers note the reduction in public space by "corporate interests" with the loss of the democratization of any and all publicly accessible space that was gained in 20th century. Not really less space, but a transformation of "id" space into "super-ego" space.]

I choose "surprising" because all good artworks must reach beyond my expectations on every real viewing. The work and its site must have the ability drag me back to look, to feel and to think again. A surprise that demands as much work from me as the object or space.

Satisfaction of the anticipated is not enough, but is generally the highest achievement of government projects of all types. The successful risk takers in government administration raise the level of the anticipation. This is a tricky business. The risk taker must convince others in power that the public's level can also be raised and then satisfied. I once witness the director of the Seattle Public Library raise the level such that only architect Rem Koolhaas could satisfy the level. Brilliant.

We are seeing this in the Democratic primary where Obama has successfully raised anticipation for a "people-serving government" and Clinton has called into question his ability to achieve the result. As per all questions in government (public art and public space), the voters are choosing between guaranteed lower level achievement and a hope for a higher level.

The definition of well-designed might be the satisfaction of the anticipated. As government public art programs age, "well-designed" becomes a popular adjective. We desperately need to renew the surprise in public art.