Tag: public-art | ArchDaily ArchDaily | Broadcasting Architecture Worldwide https://www.archdaily.com/ Thu, 9 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://assets.adsttc.com/doodles/archdaily-logo-feedly.svg 026CB6 <![CDATA[Tuwaiq Sculpture 2026 Transforms Riyadh into a Platform for Public Art]]> https://www.archdaily.com/en/1039013/tuwaiq-sculpture-2026-transforms-riyadh-into-a-platform-for-public-art Thu, 26 Feb 2026 07:45:00 +0000 Eduardo Souza https://www.archdaily.com/en/1039013/tuwaiq-sculpture-2026-transforms-riyadh-into-a-platform-for-public-art For centuries, sculpture has been associated with the materialization of religious values, the celebration of heroic achievements, or the consolidation of political power. Today, it also operates as a critical instrument and an urban mediator. Many contemporary works interrogate the present, challenge scale, engage with movement and circulation, and reshape perceptions of public space. Sculpture is no longer conceived as an isolated object, but as part of broader processes of urban transformation.

]]> <![CDATA[Call for Proposals: Bethel Woods Art & Architecture Festival (BuildFest) 2026]]> https://www.archdaily.com/en/1038898/call-for-proposals-bethel-woods-art-and-architecture-festival-buildfest-2026 Thu, 19 Feb 2026 10:05:00 +0000 Rene Submissions https://www.archdaily.com/en/1038898/call-for-proposals-bethel-woods-art-and-architecture-festival-buildfest-2026 The Bethel Woods Art & Architecture Festival (BuildFest) 2026, titled "Acts of Construction – Act One: Staging" invites proposals for timber pavilions and multimedia activations to be installed on the historic grounds of the 1969 Woodstock festival.

Act One (2026) examines the overlapping meanings of “staging.” In theater, staging refers to the arrangement and presentation of a play, show, or other production; in construction, staging refers to the assembly of temporary infrastructure (scaffolding, platforms, and supports) in anticipation of building. Proposals should consider how construction can be intentionally organized to accommodate unknown future uses and/or the planned disassembly and reuse

]]> <![CDATA[One Week to Milano Cortina 2026: The Cultural Olympiad Expands the Games Through a Distributed Arts and Public Programme]]> https://www.archdaily.com/en/1038280/one-week-to-milano-cortina-2026-the-cultural-olympiad-expands-the-games-through-a-distributed-arts-and-public-programme Fri, 30 Jan 2026 06:30:00 +0000 Antonia Piñeiro https://www.archdaily.com/en/1038280/one-week-to-milano-cortina-2026-the-cultural-olympiad-expands-the-games-through-a-distributed-arts-and-public-programme Nearly one week before the start of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, the organizing committee has released official information on the event's Cultural Olympiad: an arts and culture programme accompanying the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The programme is recognized by the IOC as one of the three pillars of the Olympic Movement, alongside sport and education. Conceived as a widespread platform involving territories, institutions, and communities across Italy, the Cultural Olympiad aims to highlight the Italian Alps and Milan's cultural heritage while promoting Olympic values through art, history, and participation beyond the official sports venues.

]]> <![CDATA[In the Blink of an Eye: 60 Light Installations Illuminate a Citywide Gallery for Noor Riyadh 2025]]> https://www.archdaily.com/en/1036858/in-the-blink-of-an-eye-60-light-installations-illuminate-a-citywide-gallery-for-noor-riyadh-2025 Mon, 15 Dec 2025 06:45:00 +0000 Kiana Buchberger https://www.archdaily.com/en/1036858/in-the-blink-of-an-eye-60-light-installations-illuminate-a-citywide-gallery-for-noor-riyadh-2025 Noor Riyadh 2025 brought large-scale light installations to public sites across the Saudi Arabian capital, temporarily transforming transit hubs, historic districts, and significant landmarks into illuminated urban environments. From November 20 to December 6, 2025, Riyadh became a citywide gallery of light, motion, and shifting perception. The festival's fifth edition featured 60 artworks by 59 artists from 24 countries, including more than 35 new commissions, responding to the theme "In the Blink of an Eye." Through light as both medium and concept, the installations reinterpreted the capital's rapidly evolving architectural landscape and reflected how perception shifts in spaces shaped by heritage and ambitious urban development.

]]> <![CDATA[Playscapes and Public Imagination: The Ambiguous Play in Urban Life of Hong Kong]]> https://www.archdaily.com/en/1032761/playscapes-and-public-imagination-the-ambiguous-play-in-urban-life-of-hong-kong Mon, 04 Aug 2025 04:00:00 +0000 Jonathan Yeung https://www.archdaily.com/en/1032761/playscapes-and-public-imagination-the-ambiguous-play-in-urban-life-of-hong-kong When we think about cities and urban life, we often focus on infrastructure, culture, commerce, nightlife, and density. In metropolises where there seems to be an endless array of activities—especially for adults—play rarely enters the conversation. Yet, the act of playing should be considered a vital part of urban life. Play directly influences how we shape our future cities—starting with how children engage with their environments. The experience of play, and more specifically, the design and presence of playgrounds, leaves lasting impressions on how young people grow up in cities. These spaces form a child's first, physical connection to the urban landscape. In this way, play deserves far more attention in conversations around urban wellness, livability, and the design of public space.

]]> <![CDATA[BIG Wins Competition to Transform Three Urban Plazas into an Interconnected 'City Stage' in Copenhagen, Denmark]]> https://www.archdaily.com/en/1031768/big-wins-competition-to-transform-three-urban-plazas-into-an-interconnected-city-stage-in-copenhagen-denmark Thu, 03 Jul 2025 05:30:00 +0000 Antonia Piñeiro https://www.archdaily.com/en/1031768/big-wins-competition-to-transform-three-urban-plazas-into-an-interconnected-city-stage-in-copenhagen-denmark BIG, artist Doug Aitken Workshop, NIRAS, Volcano, and RWDI have won a competition to redesign three public spaces surrounding major music venues in Ørestad, Copenhagen. The initiative, titled Byens Scene ("The City's Stage"), aims to revitalize the areas around DR Koncerthuset, Bella Arena, and Royal Arena, transforming them into an interconnected landscape for everyday use and public performances.

]]> <![CDATA[Learning from Artists: New Perspectives on Public Space]]> https://www.archdaily.com/en/1030983/learning-from-artists-new-perspectives-on-public-space Thu, 19 Jun 2025 07:30:00 +0000 Diogo Borges Ferreira https://www.archdaily.com/en/1030983/learning-from-artists-new-perspectives-on-public-space Public space has long been central to architectural thought, often framed in terms of planning, infrastructure, and regulation. From Haussmann's Paris to contemporary masterplans, architects have worked to define and formalise collective life through spatial tools. Yet, outside of these frameworks, artists have continuously offered alternative ways of understanding and inhabiting public space—ways that rely not on construction or permanence, but on presence, perception, and participation. Through actions, objects, or atmospheres, artists engage the city as a site of friction and imagination. These gestures challenge architectural conventions and invite artists to reconsider public space not as a solved form, but as a contingent and open process.

]]> <![CDATA[The Transformative Power of Sculptures and Landmarks in Urban Spaces: The Case of AL Khobar, Saudi Arabia]]> https://www.archdaily.com/en/1024531/the-transformative-power-of-sculptures-and-landmarks-in-urban-spaces-the-case-of-al-khobar-saudi-arabia Tue, 17 Dec 2024 06:45:00 +0000 Rene Submissions https://www.archdaily.com/en/1024531/the-transformative-power-of-sculptures-and-landmarks-in-urban-spaces-the-case-of-al-khobar-saudi-arabia Cities are vibrant environments where architecture, public spaces, and art intertwine to shape the human experience. Sculptures and landmarks are essential components of urban design, creating cultural connections and enhancing both functionality and aesthetics. They define a city's identity while fostering community interaction and civic pride.

]]> <![CDATA[Ephemeral Architectures: Engaging Communities through Temporary Structures]]> https://www.archdaily.com/en/1019356/ephemeral-architectures-engaging-communities-through-temporary-structures Fri, 16 Aug 2024 04:00:00 +0000 Diogo Borges Ferreira https://www.archdaily.com/en/1019356/ephemeral-architectures-engaging-communities-through-temporary-structures Ephemeral architectures, characterized by their temporary and flexible nature, have emerged as powerful tools for revitalizing urban spaces and fostering architectural creativity. These transient installations transform public areas, engaging communities, and prompting reflections on the potential futures of our cities. By temporarily transforming environments, ephemeral architectures encourage both architects and the public to reimagine the possibilities of urban living. This dynamic interplay, between the temporary and the permanent, challenges traditional architectural practices and opens up new avenues for sustainable and inclusive urban development.

]]> <![CDATA[DIALOG and HOK Redesign Calgary's Scotia Place: A Celebration of Community and Indigenous Heritage in Canada]]> https://www.archdaily.com/en/1019828/dialog-and-hok-redesign-calgarys-scotia-place-a-celebration-of-community-and-indigenous-heritage Wed, 07 Aug 2024 05:30:00 +0000 Nour Fakharany https://www.archdaily.com/en/1019828/dialog-and-hok-redesign-calgarys-scotia-place-a-celebration-of-community-and-indigenous-heritage DIALOG and HOK have just revealed the redesign of Scotia Place, Calgary’s new event center in Canada. Set to become a hub of community and culture, Scotia Place is inspired by Indigenous ancestral lands and cultural significance, integrated these perspectives with the natural beauty of Calgary. Commissioned by the City of Calgary and the Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporations, Scotia Place seeks to bring people together and activate the public realm.

]]> <![CDATA[Spaces of Possibility: Unveiling the Installations of Bruges Triennale 2024]]> https://www.archdaily.com/en/1016104/spaces-of-possibility-unveiling-the-installations-of-bruges-triennale-2024 Tue, 30 Apr 2024 06:30:00 +0000 Maria-Cristina Florian https://www.archdaily.com/en/1016104/spaces-of-possibility-unveiling-the-installations-of-bruges-triennale-2024 The fourth edition of the Bruges Triennial: Spaces of Possibility, curated by Shendy Gardin and Sevie Tsampalla, will be held from Saturday 13 April to Sunday 1 September 2024. This event promises to transform the streets and historic center of Bruges, Belgium, into a showcase of contemporary art and architectural interventions. With a focus on exploring the latent potential of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, the festival raises questions about how concepts like change and sustainability can interact with preservation.

]]> <![CDATA[The 10th Edition of Toronto's Winter Stations Reveals Images of the Winning Projects]]> https://www.archdaily.com/en/1012269/the-10th-edition-of-torontos-winter-stations-announces-winning-projects Mon, 04 Mar 2024 06:30:00 +0000 Maria-Cristina Florian https://www.archdaily.com/en/1012269/the-10th-edition-of-torontos-winter-stations-announces-winning-projects Winter Stations, now in its 10th year, has unveiled the winning designs selected from a pool of hundreds of submissions worldwide. Following an international design competition launched in November 2023, designers, artists, and architects contributed with bold proposals to reimagine the lifeguard stations along Toronto’s east-end beaches for the winter. Launched by RAW Design, Ferris + Associates, and Curio in 2014, the event aims to gather an international design and art community to join in this playful exercise of rethinking public spaces through bold temporary interventions. The winning designs were realized with the support of Anex Works, a Toronto-based fabrication group, and will be on display until the end of March.

]]> <![CDATA[Digital Art and Architecture: Beyond Billboards and Spheres]]> https://www.archdaily.com/en/1009764/digital-art-and-architecture-beyond-billboards-and-spheres Wed, 15 Nov 2023 07:30:00 +0000 Carla Bonilla Huaroc https://www.archdaily.com/en/1009764/digital-art-and-architecture-beyond-billboards-and-spheres In July, Las Vegas unveiled an extravagant spectacle - a colossal LED-wrapped spherical structure, standing 366 feet tall and 516 feet wide. This entertainment event venue instantly captured the public's gaze, becoming a local landmark and attracting global attention through extensive news coverage. Similar spherical concepts have been proposed in London and at a smaller scale in Los Angeles. These massive display structures open up questions about facades as digital canvases. What role can architecture take as an urban canvas other than as a billboard? And what are different ways for architecture to engage the public through digital art besides gigantic LED spheres?

]]> <![CDATA[Utopian Practice, Political Power, and Community in Architecture: An Interview with Olalekan Jeyifous]]> https://www.archdaily.com/en/1009070/utopian-practice-political-power-and-community-in-architecture-an-interview-with-olalekan-jeyifous Wed, 01 Nov 2023 04:00:00 +0000 Claire Brodka https://www.archdaily.com/en/1009070/utopian-practice-political-power-and-community-in-architecture-an-interview-with-olalekan-jeyifous After being awarded the prestigious Silver Lion for his contribution to this year's Venice Architecture Biennale, Brooklyn-based artist Olalekan Jeyifous shows no signs of slowing down. Currently in the midst of preparing his entry to the next Sharjah Architecture Triennial, he also recently celebrated the opening of Climate Futurism, a group exhibition that highlights the power and efficacy of artists’ methods and processes to imagine a more equitable future – and is working on a public monument to former United States Representative Shirley Chisholm as part of New York City's She Built NYC initiative, among other projects.

]]> <![CDATA[Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s L’Arc de Triomphe Wrapped to Be Recycled by Parley for the Oceans]]> https://www.archdaily.com/en/1007808/christo-and-jeanne-claudes-larc-de-triomphe-wrapped-to-be-recycled-by-parley-for-the-oceans Thu, 05 Oct 2023 06:30:00 +0000 Maria-Cristina Florian https://www.archdaily.com/en/1007808/christo-and-jeanne-claudes-larc-de-triomphe-wrapped-to-be-recycled-by-parley-for-the-oceans Two years ago, on September 18, 2021, Christo and Jeanne-Claude's L'Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped, 1961–2021, was inaugurated. The monumental public artwork wrapped the Parisian monument in over 25,000 square meters of silvery fabric tied in place with 7,000 meters of red rope. The materials, all made out of woven polypropylene, a type of thermoplastic, are now being reused, upcycled, and recycled, following the artists’ vision. Most of the materials will be transformed to serve practical uses for future public events in Paris. The Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation is also collaborating with Gagosian to bring Christo’s early works to London’s East End for an exhibition open from October 6-22, 2023.

]]> <![CDATA[Public Art Circuit Passages Insolites 10 Proposes a Retrospective Route to Explore Quebec City, Canada]]> https://www.archdaily.com/en/1005267/public-art-circuit-passages-insolites-10-proposes-a-retrospective-route-to-explore-quebec-city-canada Thu, 10 Aug 2023 06:30:00 +0000 Maria-Cristina Florian https://www.archdaily.com/en/1005267/public-art-circuit-passages-insolites-10-proposes-a-retrospective-route-to-explore-quebec-city-canada The 10th edition of Passages Insolites is taking place from June 22 until October 9, 2023, bringing together artists from around the world. The public art circuit is presented by the City of Quebec and created by EXMURO arts public to showcase a retrospective artistic path through the city, recalling the event’s previous editions. The public art event takes place every summer in Quebec City in in the Place Royale, Petit Champlain and Old Port districts. This year, the event presents works of art from 40 artists, headlined by Felice Varini, who presents a monumental three-dimensional work at Place-Royale.

]]> <![CDATA[Expanded Public Art within Media Architecture(s) ]]> https://www.archdaily.com/en/1003667/expanded-public-art-within-media-architecture-s Fri, 07 Jul 2023 14:30:00 +0000 Sherry Dobbin https://www.archdaily.com/en/1003667/expanded-public-art-within-media-architecture-s Toronto’s digital billboard-laden Yonge and Dundas Square is owned by the city but managed through a public-private partnership. While primarily hosting commercial content and activities, the spaces and screens of the square are often used for cultural events and artistic content. As cities, arts organizations, governments, and corporations increasingly seek to engage people in public spaces through combinations of media and architecture, what are some of the possibilities and pitfalls associated with their approaches individually and in concert with one another? How does media architecture modulate civic, creative, and commercial interests and impacts?

]]> <![CDATA[A Central Square in Greece and a Giant Clock in Germany: 8 Unbuilt Public Spaces Submitted by the ArchDaily Community]]> https://www.archdaily.com/en/1002950/a-central-square-in-greece-and-a-giant-clock-in-germany-8-unbuilt-public-spaces-submitted-by-the-archdaily-community Mon, 26 Jun 2023 04:00:00 +0000 Nour Fakharany https://www.archdaily.com/en/1002950/a-central-square-in-greece-and-a-giant-clock-in-germany-8-unbuilt-public-spaces-submitted-by-the-archdaily-community Public spaces are the beating heart of our cities. They act as the hubs of social and cultural activity where people congregate, interact, and escape the clamor of the city. These areas are crucial in determining a city's identity, character, and citizens' well-being and standard of living. Public spaces can define our communities and significantly impact how we live, work, and interact with one another through their architectural designs, facilities, and activities. Furthermore, they provide leisure, exercise, and recreation opportunities, allowing individuals to escape the confines of their daily routines and connect with nature.

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