French architect Le Corbusier’s aesthetically designed urban city-Chandigarh will soon exhibit a wide variety of art works to reflect its heritage and regional identity.
For, the Chandigarh Administration has chalked out a “public art policy” for commissioning iconic artworks of international standing in the city. The work will be either of a temporary or permanent nature in the form of sculpture, murals, street-art, new-genre public art and installations.
Five categories including public spaces, transportation, commercial belt, public utilities and urban interface areas have been listed for displaying the arts works for the delight of citizens and tourists here.
The existing subcommittee of Chandigarh Heritage Conservation Committee will make the final decision regarding all public art matters, stated the draft policy.
Manoj Parida, Advisor to the UT Administrator, while talking to The Pioneer said, “The Chandigarh Administration has prepared a public art policy, with an aim to rejuvenate underutilized urban spaces and inspire innovation new businesses and social activity in the city.”
“The policy will streamline the planning, approval, management and maintenance of all public art activities in the city. We have sought suggestions from members of CHCC for the policy,” he said.
“Under the policy, it has been proposed to install iconic sculptures, transform various locations with beautiful graffiti in various public spaces in the city, respecting the context and heritage of Chandigarh,” he added.
The draft public art policy states, “Proposals for public art to be covered under it can originate from a variety of sources including individual artists, arts organisations (e.g. Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi), private individuals or entities (e.g. commissions under CSR), Departments or institutions under Chandigarh Administration, Smart City Mission, councillors, RWAs among others.”
The policy has suggested that with the proposal for the execution of the art work, the artist concerned shall also provide a manual for the maintenance and repair of the components of the art work with detailed specifications and methodology for the same. At the time of establishment of the art work, the agency responsible for the upkeep, maintenance and repair shall be decided and necessary budgetary allocations for the same shall be obtained by that agency (B&R, Engineering Department, Municipal Corporation, Horticulture Wing, CSR partner etc).
“The typology of public arts will include digital and interactive public art, two-dimensional public art, three-dimensional, landscape or horticulture. Major iconic artworks of international standing as per of the smart city mission, the master plan 2031 and other key infrastructure developments will be commissioned under the plan,” the draft policy stated.
“In Chandigarh, the public art can perform an important social function by reflecting the city’s heritage and shape regional identity-creating a sense of belonging and improving the look and feel of the public places. The tourism to the city shall also greatly benefit from an improved public environment through the enhancement of city buildings and spaces with quality works of art by professional artists,” the policy added.
Notably, the urban city of Chandigarh defines the well knit concept of protected green belts, hierarchical classification of roads (V1 to V7), neighbourhood units ‘Sectors’ and architectural masterworks of well-known architect Le Corbusier. Besides determining Chandigarh’s urban form, architect Corbusier is also credited for designing Capitol Complex, which has been given the status of UNESCO world heritage site.