A Critical Exploration of Public Art
First, you will read 4 (brief) articles:
• https://www.cnn.com/style/article/power-and-politics-of-installation-art/index.html
• https://www.kcet.org/shows/artbound/what-is-the-role-of-public-art-in-creating-a-sense-of-a-city
• https://www.widewalls.ch/magazine/richard-serra-tilted-arc
• NYT article attached as PDF: “In New York and More, Public Art is Taking on Thorny Social Issues”
While reading these articles, internally consider:
Can public art be neatly defined as a category? What are some definitions of public art according to the articles?
What is the purpose of public art – is there more than one purpose? What role does public art serve?
What matters more – the intention of the designer/artist, or how the public/audience experiences the work? Is there nuance to this?
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Title: A Critical Exploration of Public Art
Introduction: Public art has become an integral part of urban landscapes, sparking conversations and provoking thoughts among diverse audiences. This essay critically explores the concept of public art by examining multiple perspectives presented in four articles. It delves into the definitions and purposes of public art, as well as the interplay between the artist’s intention and the public’s experience of the artwork.
Defining Public Art: According to the articles, public art defies a neat and rigid definition. It encompasses various forms, including sculptures, installations, murals, and performances, all placed in public spaces. Public art is characterized by its accessibility to a wide range of individuals, often surpassing boundaries of galleries or museums. It engages with the urban environment and interacts with both physical and social aspects of a city.
The Purpose and Role of Public Art: The purpose of public art extends beyond mere aesthetic appeal. It serves multiple functions, such as fostering a sense of identity and belonging within a community, transforming public spaces into cultural destinations, and encouraging dialogue on social, political, and environmental issues. Public art can also function as a catalyst for urban regeneration, attracting tourists, stimulating economic activity, and promoting social cohesion.
Intention vs. Audience Experience: The question of what matters more – the intention of the artist/designer or the experience of the public – evokes nuanced perspectives. While the artist’s intention provides insight into the conceptual framework and message behind the artwork, the public’s experience adds layers of interpretation and meaning. The audience brings their unique perspectives, backgrounds, and emotions to their engagement with the artwork, influencing their understanding and connection to it.
The interplay between intention and audience experience is crucial in public art. The artist’s intention sets the initial direction and purpose of the artwork, providing a starting point for interpretation. However, once the artwork is exposed to the public sphere, it becomes subject to diverse interpretations, reactions, and even controversies. The public’s experience can shape or challenge the artist’s original intent, sparking dialogues and debates about societal issues.
Nuance in the Artist-Viewer Dynamic: Within the artist-viewer dynamic, there exists a nuanced relationship that acknowledges both the artist’s intention and the public’s experience. While the artist may have a specific message or concept in mind, allowing for creative expression and individual interpretation enhances the richness and diversity of public art. The audience’s engagement with the artwork can give it new life, recontextualizing it within personal narratives and broader social contexts.
Conclusion: Public art is a complex and multifaceted realm that defies easy categorization. It serves diverse purposes such as establishing a sense of place, fostering dialogue, and enhancing urban environments. While the artist’s intention provides a foundation, public art thrives on the interplay between this intention and the dynamic experiences of its viewers. The nuanced relationship between artist and audience allows for a deeper understanding and appreciation of public art as it resonates within communities and contributes to the cultural fabric of society.
