Public art of private space?

After the graffiti spraying This is Not Art over the sculpture in SoHo last year, the decision has been made to continue with showcasing artworks in the same spot, as otherwise it would "lie vacant", said curator Adam Kleinman.

Curiously, the 'filling up' process of these vacant spaces by big names's artwork
seems to be a win-win combination for both city authorities and the investors of financial districts' developments around the world. The first group counts on receiving acclamation for enriching the public space by a mere display of art objects, and the latter ones on eliminating height restrictions by investing in public amenities.

The space in-between the office towers and on plazas among them is often given the 'new identity' by artwork such as James Turrell's five glass panels in Brookfield's Bay Adelaide Centre in Toronto's financial district, Michael Heizer's fountain in Manhattan, or Jenny Holzer's instalation in LA Standard Hotel. Broadgate Estate in London is proudly mapping the art around their properties. Influence on public opinion and a qualitative change of space attained by these installations is debatable.

However, artists in Hamburg crossed the border of the permitted art. Their open discontent by the newest establishments has been not acknowledged as the enrichment of public space, but simply as protests.

For more on 'American' model of politics and aesthetics of public space read a text bySharon Zukin.
Art collective Platform has been running critical project Museum of Corporation and walks around London City promoting an alternative model of art taking place in the spatial set-up of London City.