The expanded projections: Krzysztof Wodiczko interferences in the public space

Abstract

The city itself can be considered a living organism. It breathes (subway  ventilation system, flying plastic bags), moves (new buildings, demolitions, stores opening, residents moving) and has its own personality (history, geography). The citizens are the ones that trigger the existence of this vivid body by relating to the physical spaces the city provides. In order to make these relations visible, it is necessary an outsider, the “other”, someone who explores and understands the city as a living body  and makes its meaning emerge. This paper investigates the works of the Polish artist Krzysztof Wodiczko as a way to fundament the concept of an expanded projection and to demonstrate how they question the common relationship between citizens and public spaces.