Art in the Park: How are public spaces being utilised during Covid-19?

One of the major challenges of the pandemic has been how to continue to nurture the art and culture that the UK is such a hotbed for. Theatres, art galleries and exhibition spaces suffered closures alongside many other similar businesses earlier this year and major events and viewings were simply cancelled. There were not only implications for the artists involved but also for those members of the public who get a lot from engaging with what is on display. So, the challenge is to find a way to get art in front of people in a safe and socially distanced way.

Optimising outside space

Despite the fact that the British weather is not known for being consistently sunny, especially outside of June – August, we may be about to become a nation of people who do a lot more outside. This not only has its own health benefits but could also enable many more events to go ahead in the art world thanks to the lower coronavirus transmission rates involved when people gather outside. Public spaces, such as parks, are a particularly good setting for exhibiting art that might otherwise have been viewed indoors. In fact, for some installations and pieces a more natural outdoor setting could actually enhance the experience for the visitor.

Art in the Park in October

One such example of art placed outdoors that will benefit from this shift to the exterior is a new sculpture installation on show at Gibberd Garden in Harlow. The piece has been created by artist Krijn de Koning and is part of a broader initiative called New Geographies that is designed to bring contemporary art to unexpected places all across the UK. This particular piece is called Green / Blue and examines how we view and interact with the spaces that we inhabit through geometric structures. The artist explained that the trees that are part of the setting for the sculpture are an important part of the work and bring balance to the piece. The sculpture will be on display until 25^th October.

The Frieze Sculpture Fair

Usually summer is the setting for Frieze Sculpture but this year the event has been pushed back and will come to Regents Park 5 – 18^th October to coincide with the broader Frieze Week. During this time there will be the usual sculpture trail in Regents Park where visitors will be able to wander along a pathway admiring the work of some great talents. Participating artists include Lubaina Himid, Richard Long and Rebecca Warren. The sculpture trail will be open whatever the weather and offers an opportunity to see art in person without the risks of moving inside. For those not quite ready for Central London it’s also possible to view it online on the Frieze Viewing Room platform.

The art world is having to think outside the box to accommodate the new rules on COVID-19 and still bring the intrigue and excitement of art exhibitions and viewings to those who want to witness them. Check out some of our Art Installation Services.