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052-5507-00L 3 Credits MSC D-ARCH
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Art in Public Space

Lecturers & Examiners: Catherine Facerias
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-06-03 00:07:22

Abstract

The course investigates the development processes of public art commissions in the city of Zürich in relation to public art commission systems in other cities abroad. Through case studies, the course explores historical, political and artistic contexts. It analyses the conditions of the making of the artworks and how the artworks affect our urban environment.

Objective

Through observation and survey, participants test, address and reflect on issues such as: what is public in a public space; what is the temporality of art in the public space; how much space is dedicated to public art in the conception and design phase of a building; what differentiates art in a public space, memorials and public sculpture; who is the audience and who has a say.

Content

Each session introduces a specific art site in the city of Zürich. The site is either an artwork installed in an open public space in the city, or a building (public or private) that hosts an artwork thought and designed for its premisses. Each example is put in regard with another public artwork selected in a non-Swiss city. The case studies invite participants to analyse art commission processes, go through the motivations, the underlying grounds and goals of the art project, and discuss its achievements.

General Information

Language
English
Levels
MSC
Frequency
Semesterly recurring

Examination

Type
graded semester performance
Im Verlauf des Semesters werden die Studierenden eine Präsentation abhalten.During the semester, students will hold a presentation.

Registration & Places

Max Places
70
Signup End
30.09.2026

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture with exercise Art in Public Space
No teaching on October 22 (Seminar Week) and during the last two weeks of the semester.
No time listed 2 h weekly

Offered In