Reconsideration of permanent percent for art works in the public sphere: A case study of public art commissioned by the Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles

This paper argues that artworks commissioned for permanent integration into the public realm through percent for art programs have processes and considerations more in common with fields such as architecture and urban design, than with artworks commissioned for inclusion in personal collections, museums, or galleries. Architect and academic Robert Harris developed a Remodeling Theory for the reexamination of features of the built environment, which presents a relevant method for evaluating percent for art public art. The application of Harris's method systemizes the artwork's value through consideration of its relevance to the surrounding environment. It demonstrates how pieces may be reconsidered to adapt to their changing context and improve their potential to meet the goals of the commissioning agency. Case studies will be provided through the lens of Downtown Los Angeles and the artworks commissioned through the Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles.