Art in the public space, different aspects of artistic activities in architecture

Abstract

Background: Artistic activity in the public space of the city has many important functions and, what is important, is universal. Everyone, regardless of status, views or beliefs, has unlimited access to it. Both residents and visitors to a given place can read and interpret the message that various manifestations of artistic activity carry with them. Art evokes important social feelings - it helps to identify with the place, remember them as a distinguishing element. Objects with specific features become a landmark in the area. Artists who create art in public space raise important topics related to various areas of life, gain new fields of expression, a wider audience and therefore reach more recipients. The themes realized by the authors of murals often refer to historical events, commemorate important social events, perform a propaganda function because they reach a mass audience. The paintings often depict images of famous people: musicians, footballers, writers etc.; tell various stories, refer to ecology, human rights, they are also a form of advertising etc. Purpose: The work discusses selected examples of murals and on this basis shows that artistic activities are becoming an important element complementing the urban landscape. Murals appear in neglected city districts, in housing estates and high-rise buildings areas, they often decorate empty walls of buildings, they are an element of space revitalization - they increase the aesthetic value of the surroundings and have a positive impact on the quality of life of the inhabitants. They change the face of difficult, neglected, forgotten and dangerous spaces. They help to improve the spatial and social situation, and thus lead to a better quality of life for residents. The article is based on literature research and its own observation in the public space in the cities. The main goal of the research is to determine whether and to what extent art manifests itself in modern cities and what is its significance for social perception. Conclusion: The analysis showed that newly emerging murals still perform socially engaged functions and have an impact on improving the space.