Steel Yard's “The Artist and the City” forum

The Steel Yard gang in Providence hosts “The Artist and the City: Politics, Public Art and Community,” a free public form tomorrow night at 6. The discussion will address “various ways that artists build relationships with the cities and their citizens through public works of art whether bought by patrons, commissioned by organizations or installed by the artists themselves.”

Ian Donnis at the Providence Phoenix has more details from the Steel Yard:

As a case study, we will consider the Steel Yard's recent experience with commissioning artwork for its Urban Furniture line (one of a kind, custom- produced street amenities designed and built by RI artists). In this scenario, our client took issue with the content of one artist's set of four unique garbage cans. The Steel Yard was obligated to uphold the client's right to reject the product but also felt a strong responsibility to the artist we hired.

“The Artist and the City” forum, The Steel Yard, 27 Sims Ave., Providence, 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2007, 401.273.7101.