Course Objectives:
- Learn about public funding for the Arts.
- Examine public art’s role in capturing history and place-making.
- Explore the relationship of cultural values to civic dialogue, beautification and identity.
Artifact:
This week’s topic is really interesting to me because I had never think about the public art before even though I can feel that every day in my daily life. In my opinion, an important thing of public art is its diversification which means many kinds of work could be public art. As Erika Doss mentioned, “Public art includes sculptures, murals, memorials, monuments, civic gateways, pocket parks, playgrounds, and outdoor performances”, meanwhile, she think this diversification of American public art can represent the America’s diversity, as she explained, “Today’s public art diversity speaks to America’s diversity – and to the increasing number of Americans who want to see their cultural interests represented in the public sphere” (Doss, 2).
I think public art can reflect the thought of the city and it is a form of contemporary culture. In other words, I think public art means those art works that be created by artist for a certain region. Public art is a sign of the mature development of a city. It increase the city’s mental wealth and positively express the local characteristics and cultural values, also it reflects citizen’s sense of pride. A mature city needs public art, as Doss stated, “…public art was a form of civic improvement and could help generate a shared sense of civic and national identity” (Doss, 4).
In addition, public art have more meanings. It can emphasize some features through change the local scene so that evoke people’s thinking and recognition to some issues. It also can express the history and values of local region. As Doss described, “grounded in conversation, dialogue, and often debate, public art can serve as a symbol of civic examination, prompting further debates about community needs, hopes and histories” (Doss, 10). Therefore, I believe that public art have a kind of strong power which can change a city’s appearance and influence public mental situation in a long term. It also would be a sign of city and play an important role in building the feature of the city. As Doss argued, “as an instrument of public conversation, public art can become a catalyst for civic and national revitalization. Often because it is controversial, public art can play a central role in shaping and directing community identity” (Doss, 10).
Actually, I have to think about Chinese public art after read this Doss’ article. In some cities in China, public art almost build on the money and the called ‘public art’ just for showing the wealth of the city. For example, some city pursue to build the highest building in China, even in Asia or in the world. They spend a plenty of money to build the skyscraper and there is no mental meaning on these kind of public art and it also cannot show the thinking of city. This kind of public should not be advocated and I think citizens also do not want to see the public art just for showing money.
In conclusion, I believe that public art is extreme important to a city’s development because this is a good way to show the city’s thinking, culture and values.
Reflection:
In this unit, this artifact helps me to learn about public funding for the arts and I become to know the relationship between public art and city. Public art include many forms, like sculpture, building. The Doss’s article helps me to understand that public art could represent a city’s thinking and cultural values. In addition, public art could become a symbol of a city, as Doss explained, “…public art was a form of civic improvement and could help generate a shared sense of civic and national identity” (Doss, 4).
On the other hand, it makes me to think about my country’s public art. Public art in china did not develop very well, and in many cities you cannot find a public art work that could represent the city’s thinking or culture. Many religions have a misunderstanding of public art, which means public art should show a city’s wealth in their eyes.
Future Intentions:
In the future, I will pay attention to observe public art when I travel and I will think about its inner thinking or culture of the city.
References:
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