Panel Discussion: Public Art, Spatial Practices and the City | Thursday 10 May 2012

What role and form does Public Art have in the City and its future/s? In imagining the city, ideas of community and culture, and their dynamic interrelations, can be obscured within a focus on physical and built forms. Artist John Vella’s public lecture will examine the matrix of Public Art in the contemporary city, with a focus on spatial practice. Drawing upon recent shifts in conceptions of ‘place-making’ that attempt to take greater account of socio-cultural dynamics, can spatial practice be imagined more broadly - as a platform and medium for dialogue in the city? For articulating ‘the right to the city’? For reconnecting people to place via Public Art 'place-making’ as a relational activity? For imagining futures and producing public space, whether utopian or pragmatic?

Join us for a public discussion with:

John Vella (Speaker) - a practicing artist and Head of Sculpture, Tasmanian School of Art.

Dr Mick Douglas (Discussant) - an artist-researcher and lecturer at the School of Architecture and Design, RMIT University.

Dr Ruth Fazakerley (Discussant) - a researcher at the School of Architecture and Design, RMIT University.

Dr James Oliver (Chair) - an artist-researcher and lecturer at the Centre for Cultural Partnerships. VCA University of Melbourne

Thursday, 10 May 2012 at 7PM.
RMIT Building 50, Orr St, Carlton.
Entry by gold coin donation. Refreshment provided.