Civic body takes the cue,thinks seriously about ‘public art interventions’

The MCD has decided to introduce interactive art installations at various public spots including the railway stations,the new Civic Centre,bus stops,public utility sites,public parks and vacant MCD buildings and land. The Corporation is now identifying artists and artworks of significant importance. The idea behind the project,say officials,is to change Delhi’s image and transform it into a world class city by bringing art in the public realm.

It is also an attempt on part of the Corporation to move away from the traditional murals and introduce contemporary art forms that are already very popular abroad. “Most of our contemporary artists have done really well abroad. Our idea thus,is to now bring their work to our city,” said an MCD official.

And while the project has a Games deadline,Corporation officials say this is only the beginning and several art forms will continue to engage the citizens even after the Games.

Most cities in Europe,Canada and the US already follow a ‘Percent for Art’ policy with a minimum 1per cent of the construction cost of new buildings and infrastructure allocated for public artworks. In Delhi too,it is mandatory for all public buildings to spend one per cent of the total construction budget on installing a public art form within their respective premises. But this is followed at just a handful of buildings like the India Habitat Centre and the Reserve Bank of India headquarters. The MCD has now decided to assume a leadership role and that of a “curator of public art in the city”.

The project has branched off from a Delhi urban Arts Commission initiative whereby,in April last year,it had proposed to install public art forms across the capital in association with the various civic agencies in Delhi. Besides MCD,the New Delhi Municipal Council too has announced a similar plan to bring in public art in areas under its jurisdiction.

Meanwhile,a committee that has artists,conservationists Pooja Sood,Vivan Sundaram,DUAC member Muhammad Shaheer and Chief Secretary Rakesh Mehta among others on board,has been constituted by the state administration to guide the civic agencies on the project.