English Outdoor Art

Like in the US, the British make attempts at sharing artwork with the general population by displaying sculptures and other sturdy exhibitions outdorrs for all to see and touch. While walking into York the other day I noticed something different along many of the walls and all over town than the usual sculptures and historic displays that made me stop in my tracks.

The British National Gallery currently has a painting exhibit going on in York, only it isn't being held indoors. Below is the photo of a real Van Gogh, one of the last paintings he did before taking his life, that is currently on display outside of a church building. There aren't any fences or barricades to keep anyone from walking right up to it and touching it (though since this is England I can almost garauntee that there are cameras pointed at it from multiple locations).



As this Rembrandt shows, the location of the displays are not just on grand buildings, but really most anywhere there is simply space to hang something. This painting happens to be a self portrait of the artist.



As is stated on the placards to the side of each painting, the idea is to bring art into the community as opposed to having it locked up. One thing especially that took me by suprise is that these hang in their places day and night regardless of the weather (it has been raining here a lot lately too). I have to wonder if such a thing could be pulled off somewhere in the US.