Urban Design – Urban Sculpture in Public Space Art for Different Urban Cultures

    Cities are the result of human social development, a vibrant economic, living and cultural ecosystem centred on people. As a way of embodying the culture and spirit of a city, urban sculpture has become more and more accepted by the world. As one of the most distinctive forms of public art, urban sculpture has been shaped by more and more artists in urban spaces. It can be said that urban sculpture is not only a symbol of the quality of urban space, but also a link between the lives of urban residents.

Classification of urban sculptures
There are many ways to classify urban sculptures, but here they are classified into three categories: iconic urban sculptures, monumental urban sculptures and decorative urban sculptures, distinguished by their external forms and creative purposes.

(1) Iconic urban sculpture
This type of sculpture can play the role of a visual focal point and a symbol in public art, especially in public environments. Because of its strong identity, it is an identifying symbol that can represent the city, conveying information about the region and the environment, and can also be said to be a conglomerate of the city’s history and culture.
The Statue of Liberty in New York, for example, was soon regarded as the beacon of New York because of the meaning of the sculpture itself and because it was the tallest in the world at the time.

The Statue of Liberty（https://www.google.com）

The second scenario is where a sculpture is created with the clear intention of being a city landmark. Anything that represents local history and culture, folklore and folkways can be used to create.

(2) Monumental urban sculptures
Monumental sculptures often account for a large proportion of urban sculpture. This is because monumental sculpture is a true record of history, celebrating and promoting those historical figures and events that have contributed to the development of the country or influenced the nation as a whole.
For example, the main sculpture of the Volgograd Heroic Monument in the Soviet Union, Motherland, commemorates the victory of the Soviet people who fought to the death against the German invasion of Volgograd on 12 July 1942.

Motherland（https://www.google.com）

(3) Decorative urban sculpture
Compared to the previous two, decorative sculpture does not require a specific theme or content, but is mainly used to decorate and beautify the space and environment in which it is placed. Therefore, ornamental and decorative is its main role. The subject matter is also more casual than the previous two. They are often appendages to the environment and architecture, so the scale changes with the context and becomes a punctuation mark for the beautification of the environment.
Henry Moore’s abstract figures, for example, are sculptures that blend into the space and give a sense of ease and activity.

Henry Moore’s sculptures（Handcrafted Henry Moore Reclining Figure Sculpture Marble – Etsy UK）

The significance of developing urban sculpture
Urban sculpture plays an important role in shaping the aesthetic, cultural and social fabric of cities. The development of these sculptures is of great value and contributes to the identity, vitality and livability of the urban environment.

Artistic expression:
Urban sculptures provide a platform for artistic expression in the urban landscape. They offer artists the opportunity to create visually compelling and thought-provoking works that are integrated into their surroundings. By integrating artistic expression into the urban realm, cities become vibrant open-air galleries that enhance the cultural richness and visual appeal of the urban experience.
Fostering a sense of place:
urban sculpture contributes to the identity and character of a city and fosters a unique sense of place.
Creating public engagement:
Urban sculptures have the ability to engage and involve the public in creative and interactive ways. They invite viewers to interact with the artworks, igniting curiosity and encouraging exploration.

Conclusion
The development of urban sculpture is of great significance, contributing to the artistic, cultural and social vitality of cities. Through their artistic expression, urban sculptures enhance the visual landscape and provide a platform for creativity and self-expression.