This week we're going to kick off a discussion on the elusive cultural creature known as "public art." What is it? And is it a viable part of the Canadian urban landscape? Let's begin at the beginning: establishing a definition.

Spadina Line A processional route from a subway stop in Toronto.

Essentially, the term "public art" was born in the 1960s. This was a time when people started to shift from the idea that sculpture was the only kind of acceptable "open air" art and embrace more radical concepts like video installations, evocative billboarding and the like. Works were commissioned specifically for urban spaces, with artists considering the essential elements and characteristics of the individual city when they were creating their work.

Naturally this seized the attention of journalists. The subsequent press caused more and more cities to jump on the public art bandwagon, and artists hungry for attention, wanted to compete for the work.

Campsite Founding This project commemorates the founding of the City of Toronto

By the 1980s there was a substantial rise in critical writing about public art, establishing it as an accepted art form. There's also been the creation of the public art artist. However there's always been a somewhat large fly in the ointment. What's art and what's simply state-induced self-aggrandizement? To counter this criticism, cities and governments have tried encourage discourse between artists, architects, developers and policy makers. They ask questions like "Can it enable social empowerment?" or "Can it evoke a sense of place?" That sounds like a good place to start.

This week we'll be talking to an artist who specializes in public art, and visit Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto for a look at some of their current public art portfolios. Tomorrow we'll be pulling into Hogtown for a look at Moose on the Streets.