Larry Bell, Pacific Red (IV), 2017. SITC 12th Ed, 2023. Courtesy The Artist and Hauser & Wirth. Photo Clive Totman.
By placing works in public spaces, people - some of whom may never have visited a museum or gallery before - are given free access to the arts. Local communities are engaged with their areas in new ways, workers are inspired on their daily commute, and art lovers and tourists are drawn to areas they may not have previously considered visiting, boosting local economies.
We take a personalised, thoughtful approach to each project. This includes selecting works from artists in underrepresented groups, ensuring accessibility to the installations, producing audio guides to enhance the user experience and engaging with local residents, community groups and schools. We have developed a speciality in curating in urban spaces.
One of our most successful and well-known projects is Sculpture in the City, a Civic Trust Award winning project, which was established in 2011. Sculpture in the City is central London’s ambitious urban sculpture park realised by the City of London Corporation’s public realm strategy, the city arts community and local businesses. Attracting over 400,000 visitors a year, the annual exhibition is a mix of emerging and established artists and has included Do Ho Suh, Sarah Lucas, the Chapman brothers, Marina Abramovic and Damien Hirst. To date, the project has showcased 154 major pieces of contemporary art.
The benefits of public art have been proven to improve wellbeing, increase tourism, provide employment opportunities, and combat feelings of social isolation and anxiety. Art is a powerful tool used to bridge cultural divides and promote a better understanding of values and beliefs. It is invaluable in building a sense of community and social cohesion, bringing people together to share experiences and for creative expression.
Studies demonstrate that direct access to artworks can relieve symptoms of stress and anxiety. A 2011 study by University of London found that when individuals were subjected to a beautiful painting by some of the world’s greatest artists, the blood flow to the “joy response” parts of the brain increased by 10%. Another study by Angela Clow at University of Westminster also revealed that participants who visited an art gallery during their lunch break experienced a significant drop in their levels of cortisol, commonly known as the stress hormone.
The British Council for Offices found that 61% of workers believe that artwork inspires them to think and work more creatively. A 2016 study by the University of Exeter revealed that people who worked in an office with art and plants were 17% more productive than those working in a basic and functional environment.
Founded by Stella Ioannou in 2010, Lacuna exists to define public spaces which offer unique cultural encounters and build new communities. Lacuna’s core team of project associates bring a unique combination of skills and curatorial skills and a track record of delivering successful arts and culture projects in the public and private sectors of art, design and architecture in the UK, US, continental Europe and Australia.
