Abstract

Public space and public art are values that we share with other members of society. Works of art sited in urban public spaces animate the urban landscape and reflect the specific character of the site. Furthermore, public art addresses the needs of urban residents—it imparts an aesthetic enhancement to an urban environment and, consequently, improves the quality of people’s lives. Freely accessible public art is also able to create and deepen a sense of identity and belonging of people to the site and promote their engagement and participation. In this article, public art is seen in the context of one place—Zlín—“a functionalist city in green spaces” that represents a unique urban location where Modernism became the principal language we use to communicate about the city. Zlín can serve as an example of a city where one can explore the issues of both public art and space and the site. Artworks integrated into the Zlín city spaces reflect the city as a site, in the context of its modernist architecture and urbanism. However, the works of public art set in Zlín are not only site specific but also offer a variety of interpretations and reflect both past and present-day changes in society and the way we see and experience the world. Public art contributes significantly to transformation and regeneration of the Zlín public spaces, which, consequently, facilitate the enhancement of the quality of local urban residents’ lives. Today’s Zlín cannot be seen merely as an industrial urban area but rather as a city of culture, education, art, and design. It is evident from the study that Zlín can be perceived as possessing vast potential for new art projects and for the public’s participation, engagement, and education through art.