Make Public Art an essential component for developmental work in Delhi: Puri

With the stress on digitization of our cities increasing under the Government’s Smart Cities Mission, the essential character of our cities is encapsulated by Public Art which is a vital part of any city’s development. Reiterating the same at a roundtable meet in Delhi today, Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of State Independent Charge, Housing & Urban Affairs Ministry has called for making creative Public Art an essential component of the developmental work in Delhi.

Stressing on a call to action on the recent guidelines Delhi Urban Arts Commission (DUAC) issued on Public Art to help in encouraging integration of Art Work in Public Projects Puri stated “Time has come to plan for Public Art work in Delhi on a large scale by making it a component of all developmental plans and architectural designs.”

Underscoring the importance of artistic works in a city, “In many National Capitals of the world, public spaces are seen as an opportunity for displaying Creative Art Work. Such creative and artistic works not only beautify the city but also capture its soul. They not only enhance the aesthetics of public spaces but also raise the stature of the city in the eyes of the visitors and have great potential to boost tourism.” He further added that such public art strengthens the affinity a resident of the city has for it besides aesthetically celebrating the country’s rich cultural heritage with national, regional and local themes.

Back in 1970s guidelines were issued by the then Ministry of Works & Housing for earmarking 2% of the project cost for art work however, nothing concrete has been seen on ground yet. Puri emphasized the opportunity it presents in integrating Public Art with the development projects, especially at a time when all round construction and developmental activities were taking place in Delhi in connection with some mega events such as Commonwealth Games. He said, “Unfortunately, this potential has not been harnessed properly and we hardly see any notable work at various places in Delhi.”

The Minister laid importance on a collective resolve from all the stakeholders to further develop Delhi as a world class city with the state-of-the-art infrastructure and facilities to boost its potential for tourism as well as for holding world level conferences and seminars. “We have a vast reservoir of talent in the form of creative artists, sculptors, painters and designers who have made their name world over by designing such public art, whenever they have been offered an opportunity to do so.  We need to tap this vast potential to beautify Delhi in the first instance and thereafter carry the movement forward to other cities and towns of the country.”