Collaborating with
Conservators
RIKA SMITH MCNALLY
The Planning and Preservation of Outdoor Public Art in the Urban Environment : Successful Collaborations between the Landscape Architect and the Art Conservator
Pollution , construction dust , vandalism , rain , hail , ice , hot or freezing temperatures ! Car and truck exhaust , skateboarders , and taggers applying graffiti with paint , marker or stickers ! Why would an artist want their work outside of the safer confines of a museum or gallery ? Because , like landscape architects , public artists are passionate about creating spaces to enhance the human response to an outdoor environment . The goals of placemaking , creating communal gathering space , and providing ease of movement or navigation are common objectives for both the artist and the landscape architect . Other visions may be to provide respite from a noisy city environment , frame a skyline , or pause the viewer with wonder , reflection , or amusement . The conservator ’ s goal is preventive in nature , ensuring longevity and sustainability , and to protect the artwork from deterioration or damage in order to preserve the artist ’ s original intent .
With any of the above goals , the success of outdoor public art in the urban environment requires careful consideration and deliberate thought on arts fabrication and planning for preventive or remedial care . Landscape architects , like public artists , benefit from collaboration with conservators who are trained to research materials and provide appropriate care .
The Artist
Urban landscape architects already work with allied professionals , such as city planners , commissioning agencies , building architects , civil and structural engineers , horticulturalists , and contractors . Now public artists are becoming more involved in landscape planning as well . Artists ’ practices are changing from providing a single sculpture or artwork to becoming a partner in design . Artists now integrate objects such as seating , lighting , railings , and walk ways into the streetscape . Artists may design sewer grates or water system valve plate covers , cell phone charging stations , and transit shelters as components of public space . Artists today have also moved past the traditional public art materials of bronze and granite to using new materials such as fiberglass , plastics , engineered wood , new metal alloys , high-performance paint systems .
92 BSLA