Arte Público & West 8 in PR

[franjayo]

Project: Arte Público
Timeframe: 2002-2004
Location: Puerto Rico, sites all around the island

A successful project to bring art for the general public was undertaken by Sila Calderón during her tenure as major of San Juan from 1996-2000, this initial project served as a basis for the larger scale “Arte Público” project held when she became governor for the island from 2000-2004.

The central government established an office for urban affairs to manage the project with the intention to establish Puerto Rico as a place of vanguard artistic activity and revitalize the urban spatial experiences. The focus was very modern and with a vision for a new cultural reinterpretation for the future.

Many young artists and architects participated of this effort to create iconic urban environments with local cultural flavor. Among the works in this program, there is an interesting project by “WEST 8” to create an immense urban trellis along a major boulevard.

http://www.artepublico.puertorico.pr/english/ambitos/ave_lineal/index.htm

For more information visit the web site, you can click in different locations to see specific works.

http://www.artepublico.puertorico.pr/english/

[franjayo]

Among the local architects, here's one by Alberto Fernández that serves as an entrance gate to the beautiful island of Culebra, east of PR.

[franjayo]

A stainless steel column marks the entrance to the town of Guayama, by artist Anna Nicholson, reminiscent of the traditional embroidery.

[franjayo]

Another view of the West 8 proposal. Link to the west 8 proposal details:
http://www.artepublico.puertorico.pr/english/ambitos/ave_lineal/index.htm

[franjayo]

Giant letters mark the entrance to the city of Ponce in the south. Similar to the letters that identify "Hollywood", but they become an experience as you pass through it. It is not shown in the Arte Público site, although I think it was part of the project. Someone told me it has a conflict with the US highway laws and the design is under revision.

[franjayo]

Another view of the sign for the town of Ponce. The actual experience of going through this sign is not distracting at all, because of the scale. The actual location selected for the project could have been better, to provide a better view from far away as you arive in the site.

[franjayo]

Tintorera (Shark) by Carlos Guzmán, in Luquillo.

[franjayo]

"Fruta fresca" or fresh fruit by Annex Burgos depicts typical avocados near the entrance to the Santurce Market ( Plaza de Santurce). It is one of the most recognized pieces of the first group of artwork done between 1998-2000.