Public art, or art in public spaces, has again occupied the media headlines as the Legislative Council recently allocated a hefty sum to procure artistic works to be displayed in its newly constructed Headquarters.

I have written previously in this column sharing my view on various ways in which art could be integrated into public space, from the rudimentary level of simply putting artwork in public spaces with or without reference to spatial temporality, to a subtler approach of creating an artistic public space with art becoming integrated into the various elements that outline and exist in the space, and finally to the metaphysical meaning of public space when public space itself becomes a living, organic structure which can be conducive to the creation of artworks.

At this juncture, the most cogent idea appears to be for the community to debate the fundamental question as to who has the authority to make the choice of artwork to be placed in a public space. Should the art reflect the taste, values and aspirations of the community? Those of the artists? Or those of the curators? Or the authority? On the other hand, we are in dire need of a fruitful discussion of how to give public space to a more artistic "look and feel". This can be readily within our reach insofar as cross-sector co-operation, involving both public and private sectors.

Art is ever-changing, shaped by the culture, history, geography and the people around it. To me, art can be like a sponge - it could expand and take on greater volume so long as there is enough water for it to soak up. Creation of artwork alone is, without doubt, important, but this importance must be seen in context.

For art to flourish, it needs a platform that is conducive to its creation, refinement and continual enhancement. One such platform is a public space that nourishes creativity, provides ample room for artistic endeavor and builds on its past achievements to generate unlimited artistic expression. I am glad that the discussions held in the community so far, in general, go beyond the more mundane issues of what artwork is to be placed, where and who should put it. The focus has rightly fallen on the metaphysical meaning of public space - how to create an organic public space within which art can grow and prosper with full strength.

Public space owes its existence to the people who create it. How well it functions in the process of facilitating artistic creation depends very much on the soul of the city, the water that the sponge soaks up to fill the space, the driving force that gives the city its shape, movement, content and essence. So when we discuss the "soul of the city", we really are examining what makes Hong Kong kick and tick. What gives us heart and soul? Indeed, what gives any city a heart and soul, or what is the city's "heartware" and "soulware".

It behooves us, and those who call Hong Kong their home to reach deep into our cultural pockets and come up with an answer.

The author is former secretary for home affairs of the SAR government.

(HK Edition 05/05/2010 page1)