Public art can serve as a key component of place-making, playing a significant role in defining the character of a community while contributing to the aesthetic quality of public spaces. These distinct visual elements whether permanent or temporary, kinetic or stationary, stand-alone or integrated into the architecture and landscaping can define a destination and gathering place, as well as serving as a wayfinding element. Public art can serve as a point of reference and landmark, welcoming and orienting residents and visitors to Carlsbad. It can reinforce primary gateways, streets, bikeways, traffic islands, medians, and neighborhood centers. It can strengthen critical linkages, including pedestrian passages to the beach, and enliven the pedestrian experience. Public art for streetscape and neighborhood improvement can take many forms including:
• Iconic Artwork. Iconic artwork is significant, large-scale permanent artwork serving as defining landmarks at major gateways into Carlsbad, at civic centers, and on major boulevards and intersections. (See Tulip Tower, Mt. Vernon).
• Wayfinding Artwork. Wayfinding artwork is permanent artwork located in active vehicular and pedestrian intersections. It serves to connect key locations within Carlsbad’s core, enhance pedestrian circulation, and could guide passage to and from the beach and other destinations. (See Chemnitz Smokestack).
• Temporary Art. Temporary art installations are non-permanent artwork in a range of media and scale that are displayed for a limited amount of time. The artwork serves to enliven and refresh the pedestrian experience, enhance tourism and pique public awareness of the built and natural environments. Priority placement is in high-traffic pedestrian areas where first-time and repeat visitors can delight in a changing environment. (See Spartanburg Mills).
• Points-of-Interest Artwork. Points of interest artwork at boulevards and special streets are individual or multiple artworks placed at select locations along the sidewalks, bikeways, and in open spaces along a heavily trafficked vehicular and pedestrian thoroughfare. The artworks serve as points of interest and visual respite along the corridors and to delineate and connect key places and neighborhoods. (See The Toffee Factory).
• Neighborhood Identity Artwork. Neighborhood identity artwork is permanent artwork located in neighborhood centers and parks where people congregate, interact, and engage in social activities. The artwork augments a sense of neighborhood identity and signals a community gathering place. (See The Forks).
• Iconic Artwork. Iconic artwork is significant, large-scale permanent artwork serving as defining landmarks at major gateways into Carlsbad, at civic centers, and on major boulevards and intersections. (See Tulip Tower, Mt. Vernon).
• Wayfinding Artwork. Wayfinding artwork is permanent artwork located in active vehicular and pedestrian intersections. It serves to connect key locations within Carlsbad’s core, enhance pedestrian circulation, and could guide passage to and from the beach and other destinations. (See Chemnitz Smokestack).
• Temporary Art. Temporary art installations are non-permanent artwork in a range of media and scale that are displayed for a limited amount of time. The artwork serves to enliven and refresh the pedestrian experience, enhance tourism and pique public awareness of the built and natural environments. Priority placement is in high-traffic pedestrian areas where first-time and repeat visitors can delight in a changing environment. (See Spartanburg Mills).
• Points-of-Interest Artwork. Points of interest artwork at boulevards and special streets are individual or multiple artworks placed at select locations along the sidewalks, bikeways, and in open spaces along a heavily trafficked vehicular and pedestrian thoroughfare. The artworks serve as points of interest and visual respite along the corridors and to delineate and connect key places and neighborhoods. (See The Toffee Factory).
• Neighborhood Identity Artwork. Neighborhood identity artwork is permanent artwork located in neighborhood centers and parks where people congregate, interact, and engage in social activities. The artwork augments a sense of neighborhood identity and signals a community gathering place. (See The Forks).
