“The world always seems brighter when you’ve just made something that wasn’t there before,” as said by Neil Gaiman. We might not realize it, but every day we come into contact with public art. Whether we saw it with a glimpse of an eye as we were running late, or we purposefully went to view it. Public art is something that can be found in every country in various shapes, sizes, and colors. From statues, to murals, to playgrounds art is different for everyone. Likewise, each piece of artwork has its own meaning and purpose. Certain art makes us want to question something, while other art is meant to bring us joy. But how different is public art in two completely different parts of the world, where the cultures and the way people live differ greatly?

The sweltering heavy air overlooks New York City. Every step taken is another gasp of air. It becomes even more difficult as you walk on 1stavenue from 23rdstreet to 34thstreet. Not because it is hotter or more humid there, but simply because of the infrastructure that occupies this area. Medical workers rush in and out of buildings in their green-blue scrubs as the sirens of ambulances conquer your ears. A simple walk places you into melancholy as the majority of the buildings here are hospitals, medical centers, etc. This ignites memories of the long visits to the doctors, the large needles pressing into your skin for blood work, and the endless vaccines that need to be done. Each person knows how dreading a visit to a doctor could be. Yet, everything changes on the corner of 34thstreet where a single piece of public art shines. The thirty-foot-tall dog statue simply forces you to smile. This comedian piece of public art displays an enormous dog balancing a taxi cab on its nose. The taxi cab is not some small replica, but an actual yellow NYC taxi cab that just a couple of years ago was out in the streets. The dog stands graciously with his small black nose pointing to the sky. His eyes focus on the automobile as his acute ears point toward Earth from all the pressure. Likewise, through the creases that create the dog’s breast it is noticed that majority of the weight is placed on the dog’s front legs. What makes this dog even more engaging to look at are the black spots that the dog is covered in; they actually resemble thick strokes made with a paintbrush. However, this unusual piece of public art is here for a reason, as Kwon would say this is a “new genre type of art.” It definitely does not fit into the medical picture of this area, but it serves its purpose here. This dog whose name is actually Spot is right in front the Hassenfeld’s Children Hospital for Blood and Cancer Disorders. Spot’s goal is to change the dark atmosphere of this region into one that welcomes the children that visit this hospital. Spot is there to help the children feel a bit happier, adding light and color. Moreover, this piece of work is also art in space because if you were to take it out of this community and place it into another, it would lose its original reason for creation. While very different from the urban buildings, it beautifies it. The creator of this sculpture, Donald Lipski, says, “It’s a privilege to be able to do this for the kids. I wanted to make something so astounding it would distract even those arriving for the most serious procedures, and so lovable that young patients coming back again and again with chronic conditions would see it as an old friend. I like to think that the parents, the doctors and nurses and staff, the neighbors, will all be smitten by this playful, heroic young dog doing the impossible. Art has actual healing power. That’s a fact!” It was vital for this art to scream his message. Additionally, while it is important to know that he was the creator of this wonderful art, the knowledge of this does not add or take away from the importance of the piece itself.

Spot balancing the taxi cab.

 

Spot was just one example from a day of public art in NYC, but he was definitely unique. However, lets transport ourselves across the Atlantic Ocean, to city that is 4,664 miles away from NYC.  In Kiev, public art too is quite popular, yet in a way it is a bit different. A top-rated tourist attraction is the Park Landscape Alley.  A street is designated for artists to display all their art work from paintings, to portraits, to sculptures. Walking through this street is an unforgettable experience. In fact, you should always walk as slow as possible or you might lose detail of something significant.  That actually almost happened to me. When you reach the middle of this street there is an opening into an alley with a sign that welcomes you to Wonderland. An alley that is usually supposed to be dark and mysterious is filled with vibrant bold colors. What you see is a gigantic painted rabbit with a clock rushing to the other end of the alley. He leads you to a park that is even more colorful than that alley. This park is surrounded by four story buildings on every side, therefore there is only one entrance. That is when I reached true amazement and felt that I was no longer seventeen, but was again ten years old. The park was filled with benches and sculptures created from mosaic in the Alice in Wonderland theme. In the blasting sun, the mosaic heats up and when you press against it, the heat rapidly transfers to your hand as you feel the little indents between each piece of the mosaic. However, the benches also have a shade to hide from the sun as the benches are the mouths of characters from Alice in Wonderland. In order to sit on the bench, you have to climb into the mouth of the character. What was more exciting was the playground, also in the Alice in Wonderland theme. The first thing that catches attention is Alice herself slouching against the playground in the shade. Her blue flowery dress creates a sort of wave that in turn creates a seat for anyone that got tired. As you walk to the other side there is an entrance into a white tea cup that has a club and diamond on its sides. From there you can access that higher tea cups with slides or the head of the Cheshire Cat. It is as purple as in the movie, and its smile is just as big. Yet, its eyes create a welcoming and playful atmosphere. This all is public art that would be classified as the art as space paradigm. It was created with the purpose of interacting with the people or serving a useful purpose. The playground was created for the children to play in, while the benches were there as a place to sit. This area was built as a government project, and it was to make more tourists come to this region of Kiev. Nevertheless, when money was being collected in 2008, the people that lived in the surrounding buildings donated about fifteen percent of the needed amount. This park is something that brought pleasure to both them and the visitors. While the Alice in Wonderland themed park differs greatly from old European styled buildings around, this public art became its own site. The area is now in 2019 known for this park, therefore if removed the place would lose its significance.

Alice in Wonderland Landscape Park Alley

Overall, these two pieces of public art, Spot and Alice in Wonderland playground, were created in different countries, and for different purposes. Spot was made from fiber glass and steel while the playground from mosaic. Yet, one thing unites them. They both bring happiness in children. The context of these pieces of art is different. Spot was made to distract the children in the hospital from all of the procedures they have to go through. He should be remembered as a friend in their eyes. While the playground was made to attract tourists, it was made for children, for them to have fun and experience something different and new. Both make children smile and both bring feelings of joy. Thus, public art is something that can surpass any differences and barriers. It is something that can be seen anywhere you go and can add life to any area.