When art makes- or breaks- community

From the Public Art of the 1970s to the relational aesthetics of the ’90s, artists have long sought to break free from galleries and influence real life. But it hasn’t always been smooth sailing, just think of Daniel Buren’s black and white columns at the Palais Royal in Paris (1985), which opened up a huge public debate.
Some initiatives, like Skulptur Projekte in Münster or Theaster Gates’ housing and cultural hubs in Chicago, have transformed entire neighbourhoods. Others, despite good intentions, remained exclusive or detached from the communities they aimed to serve.
The lesson? Public art alone isn’t enough. It must foster belonging, create jobs, and empower communities. When that happens, as in Emmanuel Babled’ s ethical design production in Tanzania, art transcends aesthetics.
Can art still drive lasting community change, or does social design hold the stronger key?