Public Art in Russia: How an Artist Can Enter the Urban Scene

Contents:

• Fears and risks of a beginning public artist
• What you need to be prepared for
• How to start creating public art
• Coordination with government agencies, owners, residents
• The process and communication with residents
• How to develop and where to move as a public artist

Public art is becoming an important tool for public expression, actively integrating into festivals, cultural, and commercial projects. Unlike other forms of street art, public art is a legal practice aimed at a wide audience. It creates opportunities for peaceful interaction with the viewer and seeks to establish a dialogue with society. Public art draws attention to social and cultural issues, making art accessible and understandable to everyone.

A designer, illustrator and public artist, who is a resident of the creative association ÖVVÖ, actively explores Street art in the Komi Republic and Russia. She has participated in street art festivals such as Stenograffia in Yekaterinburg, as well as StarTui and Layers in Syktyvkar, where she painted various objects. In 2024, she curates the Layers festival, continuing to develop and popularize street art in the region.

Fears and Risks of a Beginning Public Artist

My first encounter with public art happened unexpectedly. In 2023, the co-founder of the creative association ÖVVÖ, of which I am a member, shared information about a street art festival in Syktyvkar. I immediately felt the desire to participate as an artist. I had no experience working with urban environments, but the desire to expand the boundaries of my creativity and integrate illustration into new formats became an important goal for me. Participating in such a festival presented a unique opportunity to contribute to the development of street art and interaction with the urban environment.

After some time, I chose my first public art object—a bus stop. I developed a sketch, which the festival curators promptly approved with the local administration. I buy the necessary materials, including paint, and begin the painting process.

The first experience always causes fear and excitement. When moving from the digital world to the physical space, the sense of the scope of work is often lost. Getting used to a new scale can be difficult, especially when it increases tens or even hundreds of times. This transition requires adaptation and rethinking approaches to completing tasks, which can be a real challenge. It is important to understand that such experience, despite the difficulties, contributes to personal and professional growth.

Contemporary public art promotes sustainable interaction between artists and citizens, creating open communication in the "artist-viewer" system. However, unforeseen situations often arise, accompanied by an impulsive and aggressive reaction from the public. Such clashes represent significant stress for the artist, but with the accumulation of experience, interaction with citizens becomes simpler and more productive. Public art continues to evolve, drawing attention to current social and environmental issues and promoting dialogue between creators and society.

What you need to be prepared for

Artists, researchers, authors of texts, cultural scientists, and urbanists are actively functioning in the contemporary art space. This diversity creates the impression that entering public art can be difficult. To a certain extent, this is true, as public art requires artists to have a deep understanding of the urban context. The era of simple "decoration" is a thing of the past; today, public art involves understanding the urban environment, its history, and current issues. It is important for artists not only to create visual works but also to establish a dialogue with the local community, bringing new ideas and solutions to public spaces.

People appreciate not only the aesthetic appeal of street art but also the deep meaning hidden in each work. Contemporary public art should not only decorate urban spaces but also tell stories, immersing viewers in a unique atmosphere. An artist working in this field must possess the qualities of a researcher, urbanist, and local historian. It is important that each creation arouses interest and provokes reflection, linking art with urban culture and history.

I pay great attention to the harmonious integration of my projects into the urban space. In my work, I explore the history of a place, analyze archival documents, and consider the memories of local residents. Sometimes I involve them in the creation process, which helps create a deeper connection between art and community.

At the StarTui festival in Syktyvkar, I was honored to be at the arch located on the first line of the city's main street, Kommunisticheskaya. This place attracts many visitors due to its central location and vibrant atmosphere. The arch became an excellent venue for communication, creativity, and the exchange of ideas among festival participants and guests. Here, one could feel the festive spirit and enjoy the cultural events that make StarTui a vibrant event in the life of the city.

One side of the arch adjoins the building The post office, which allowed for the creation of a unique diptych, features one side focusing on the history of the street and its courtyards, while the other focuses on the life of the post office in Ust-Sysolsk, and later, Syktyvkar. This approach allows for a deeper understanding of the region's cultural heritage and the importance of the postal service in local life.

In this project, I used photographs from the open archive "Dear Comrades," as well as images of pre-revolutionary, Soviet, and modern postage stamps from the collection of the National Museum of the Komi Republic. An important element of the research was the textual and oral recollections of residents about life on Kommunisticheskaya Street in different historical periods. These materials allow for a deeper understanding of the changes that have occurred in society and culture over time.

In August, I was invited to participate in the "Cyrillic on the Street" project, organized by the Stenograffia festival in Yekaterinburg. 33 artists from across Russia painted the fence around the central stadium, and each was assigned a letter. I chose the letter Ы. This project was a unique opportunity for artistic expression and the popularization of the Cyrillic alphabet in public spaces.

At first glance, this may seem like a small task, focusing on unusual typography. However, I became interested in researching and illustrating the history of the letter. This approach allows for a deeper understanding of the evolution of fonts and their influence on the perception of text. By studying typography, we can discover how different styles and letterforms reflect cultural and historical contexts. This research not only enriches knowledge about fonts, but also promotes the development of design thinking, which is especially important in contemporary visual art.

How to Start Creating Public Art

Street art festivals provide an ideal platform for illustrators and designers to debut in the field of public art. At such events, artists can showcase their talents and realize unique ideas, using urban space as a canvas. Experienced volunteers with technical expertise play a vital role in this process, providing the necessary support and advice on the creation and installation of works. Street festivals not only promote the development of new art forms but also actively engage the public, creating a vibrant atmosphere of creativity and collaboration.

Currently, numerous public art festivals are held in Russia, which are open to artists, designers, and researchers. These events become a platform for creative expression and interaction with the public. Among the most famous festivals, it is worth noting:

• Stenograffia (Ekaterinburg);
• "Street Morphology" (Tyumen);
• "Voice of the Streets" (Irkutsk);
• "Okraseno" (Sheregesh).

Various open calls and public art projects are also found in institutions that are not focused on street art as their primary goal. Such projects become a platform for interaction with the community and contribute to the development of the cultural space. Institutions and organizations, including galleries and cultural centers, actively integrate street art into their programs, inviting artists to create unique works in public spaces. This not only enriches the urban landscape but also opens up new opportunities for creative expression and dialogue with the audience. Participating in such initiatives not only expands the boundaries of traditional art but also draws attention to social and cultural issues relevant to modern society.

• Ozon regularly invites artists to the Ozon Ballon project (as part of the project, you can paint a wall at a pick-up point);
• Mosproducer hosts the "Contours of Culture" project once a year and organizes an open call for sketches to paint the walls of Moscow's cultural spaces.

Public art projects can be an excellent starting point for illustrators, providing opportunities for self-expression and professional development. Participating in such initiatives not only helps create unique works but also draw attention to your work, expanding your audience and strengthening your reputation in the artistic community. Public art is becoming an important aspect of contemporary art, opening new horizons for illustrators.

Personal work. Let's assume you already have a completed sketch and have chosen the surface on which you plan to implement it.

The first and most important step is to send a letter to the administration asking for assistance in coordinating the work. To reduce potential problems and save time, it is recommended to include the following in the letter:

• The exact address of the object or coordinates, its photographs from different angles.
• The sketch and its concept.

Describe your motivation and present a rough layout of the finished work, as well as the necessary materials. This is important for forming a complete picture of your project. The administration must see how your sketch will look in space, and also ensure that the materials and equipment used comply with safety requirements.

Coordination with government agencies, owners, and residents

Some properties are not owned by the municipality, so before starting work, you must obtain permits from the building owner or apartment owners, if you are working on a residential building. In most cases, the administration itself handles such negotiations, but sometimes the artist will have to do this independently. To avoid unpleasant surprises, clarify with the administration in advance what steps need to be taken and who can assist in this process.

To contact the administration, you can write a letter to the mayor or chief architect. This letter can be delivered in person, sent by mail, or sent by email. It is recommended to call the administration a few days after sending it to confirm receipt of your request. This will help avoid situations where your letter is not processed or gets lost.

At the "Layers-2023" festival in Syktyvkar, I noticed that the administration was quickly and efficiently approving designs for small municipally owned properties. However, approvals for private property owners are more challenging. Unfortunately, none of the private properties were approved within the established deadlines.

The approval process does not have a standardized framework and can vary depending on the scope of work, the level of communication with the owner, and the workload of the administrative department. It is recommended that the earlier you begin the approval process, the more efficient it will be. This will help avoid potential delays and facilitate communication between all parties. Starting the approval process at an early stage allows for a more thorough review of all details and consideration of potential changes, which significantly accelerates the achievement of the final result.

Process and Communication with Residents

At the project implementation stage, an important and exciting process begins – interaction with residents. Syktyvkar viewers are just beginning to become familiar with the concept of public art, so artists need to actively communicate with residents, answer their questions, and respond to a variety of comments. This interaction not only helps to better understand the perception of art but also creates a dialogue between artists and the public, which contributes to the formation of the city's cultural environment.

At the beginning of work on the bus stop, police officers approached me with an offer of assistance. They were ready to intervene in case someone reacted too emotionally to what was happening and began to cause problems. However, such situations did not arise. The majority of the comments consisted of positive feedback and expressions of dissatisfaction with a possible negative outcome, with phrases reminding that "everything will be ruined anyway."

People follow the process of creating my works with great interest, often asking questions about the plot and how I manage to organize everything.

I managed to organize a joint mural painting project with city residents, resulting in the creation of a second painted bus stop in Syktyvkar. This project has become a symbol of the unity and creativity of local residents, and has also beautified the public space, giving it a unique character and atmosphere. This collaborative effort inspired many, and now the stop has become not only a place to wait for transport, but also an attraction for tourists and locals who want to take photos against the backdrop of vibrant art.

The reaction of city residents to public art is an important indicator of its integration into the modern cultural environment of the city. Street art is often perceived as an act of vandalism or illegal intervention, regardless of the quality of its execution. Residents play a key role in the perception and evaluation of urban street art, and their opinions should not be ignored. Given this, it is important to understand that the interaction between artists and the local population shapes the overall perception of artistic interventions in public spaces. Residents not only observe changes in their surroundings but also actively participate in the discussion and evaluation of street art, underscoring its significance in the city's cultural life.Our association plays an important role as a mediator in the discussion of street art among various communities. We organize mediations, lectures, and meetings where we openly discuss public art in Syktyvkar and share opinions. This broad and constructive dialogue helps create a favorable environment for the development of public art in the city. All current news and materials are published in the group of our creative association ÖVVÖ.

How to Develop and Where to Go as a Public Artist

Public art is actively developing through street art festivals, which are regularly held and include open calls for artists. These events provide an excellent opportunity to support emerging artists, designers, and illustrators. Many festivals are open to communication, collaboration, and exchange of experiences, which allows participants not only to present their work but also to find like-minded people. Familiarization with such events can help you channel your creative efforts in the right direction and develop skills in the field of street art.

Public art is a broad concept, encompassing not only wall painting but also many other forms of artistic expression. This opens up extensive opportunities for experimentation, including the creation of murals, sculptures, and small-scale interventions in the urban environment. Public art contributes to the transformation of public spaces and interaction with local communities, making it an important element of contemporary art.

There is a growing demand for public art in the commercial sector, which is becoming not only an effective advertising tool but also an important element of shop window decoration. Syktyvkar boasts numerous businesses with significant assets, such as transformer substations and ventilation shafts, which have shown interest in their artistic design. Public art not only attracts attention to a brand but also transforms the urban landscape, creating a unique atmosphere and enhancing the visual appeal of the surrounding environment.

The T Plus branch in the Komi Republic actively collaborates with local artists, which has resulted in the creation of numerous unique painted electrical substations in Syktyvkar. This collaboration not only beautifies the urban landscape but also highlights the cultural richness of the region. Painted substations become vibrant art objects, attracting the attention of residents and tourists, and contribute to the development of art in the city.

Some festivals and projects offer honoraria to artists. Participating in several such events over the summer season can be a source of significant income.

I worked on an honorarium basis at the StarTui festival, which led to several commercial offers after its completion. These offers covered various fields, including public art, design, and illustration. My experience at the festival opened new opportunities for collaboration and expanding my professional horizons in the creative field.

I remain interested in creating murals and working in new contexts, but in the long term, I strive to expand my horizons. I currently curate the street art festival "Layers," supported by ÖVVÖ. I also lecture on public art and conduct visual research on tags in Syktyvkar. My experience allows me to deepen my knowledge of street art and develop projects that promote this movement.

Street art is a flexible platform that provides diverse communities with opportunities for self-expression and creativity. It fosters productive dialogue about contemporary art, helps with career advancement, and influences the development of the urban environment. Street art makes cities more attractive, and its creators get a chance to express themselves and realize their ideas.

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Materials about public art are essential for understanding this contemporary art movement. Public art includes works created for public spaces that interact with the environment and local communities. These works can range from sculptures and murals to installations and performances. Public art not only decorates urban spaces but also raises social and cultural issues, promotes dialogue and citizen engagement in art. Studying and discussing public art helps us understand its impact on society and the formation of urban identity.

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