Art in the streets. Artification strategies for public space

Abstract

My essay focuses on the notion of artification, recently emerged in the philosophical and artistic debate. Some case studies show that “public wall paintings” work as an artifying strategy of public space both at a superficial and at a deep level. As regard to the first, a mere decorative effect is produced; while the second, by launching projects which require the coordination of several professional skills and social actors, produces a more radical transformation. The latter notion of artification is more significant than the former because it better expresses the educational value of art and its ability to produce improvement not only of urban areas – made aesthetically more enjoyable – but also of the quality of life of their inhabitants.