If it weren’t for this assignment, I don’t think that I would not have ever noticed the two murals made by the Runquist brothers that exist in the library. The reason being is because whenever I go to the library, I typically go to the same general area, which does not include the special collections area. However, after viewing the Runquist murals at Knight library, I got a better understanding of what Public Art really is. According to Doss, he described this term in his article “Public Art Controversy: Cultural Expression and Civic Debate” that ”Public art is artwork in the public realm, regardless of whether it is situated on public or private property, or whether it is acquired through public or private funding. Public art can be a sculpture, mural, manhole cover, paving pattern, lighting, seating, building facade, kiosk, gate, fountain, play equipment, engraving, carving, fresco, mobile, collage, mosaic, bas-relief, tapestry, photograph, drawing, or earthwork”(Doss, 2). I do feel a sense of appreciation to the fact that they do exist and are readily available for me to look at whenever I desire. That is what’s great about public art in my opinion. Public art can be found everywhere around us in the campus. It serves as a public media with a specific intention that can be accessible to all. It is used for public occasion for people to appreciate by the specific meanings it carries.
The Runquist murals in our knight library well illustrated the history of both arts and science, astronomers, biologist, mathematicians etc, are all involved in these murals and these disciplines are also the foundation of our university. These two murals can be viewed as best “public arts”, which can represent the essential values of our university.
In this weeks reading, Doss talks about how public art is received in the modern world. A quote that stood out to me was , “Today, these memorials are among America’s most popular works of public art” (Doss, 1). The memorials he is referring to are the Washington Monument and Vietnam Veterans Memorial. This was significant to me because I do not think the younger generation views these focal points of the National Mall as forms of public art. That is because when we are educated at a young age, we are seemingly taught that when a significant person or travesty occurs, something is built in remembrance, not as art. On the surface, these memorials and monuments are just focal points but as our understanding levels become more developed, I think people do see them as public art. It just takes time to make this realization for a good portion of the young generation of people.
Another quote from Doss’ reading that pertains to the Runquist murals is “Traditional forms of American public art include figurative sculptures displayed in public spaces…” (Doss, 2). Though the murals aren’t sculptures, I think this quote is in line with how they are displayed being that they are in a public area in which nearly anyone can view them. I agree with this point because generally, the most popular public art works are the ones that are sculptures. This is because they are easy to identify, rather unique, and also a point of interest when providing directions. By, easy to identify, means that it is hard to miss when walking on a street or driving by. Sculptures are unique in that they are almost always one of a kind. There may be related works, but each one is usually independent from each other.
“Public art is an antidote for the hatred and disconnectedness in society. It is a creative, participatory, critical, and analytical process. We must tell our stories, and encourage others of all ages to tell their stories in any language they speak…We must teach ourselves and others to listen and to hear our stories because it is in the very specificity of the human experience that we learn compassion”(Doss,11). I think the role of public art is not only to add pleasure or aesthetics to public place, but also to convey and present values about a certain civilization or group of people. It serves as a tool for community identity creation and help to shape quality of our life through embodies a community’s spirit or value into it. Just as the Runquist murals in our library. The role of public art can increase people’s pride about being a member in one community and spread information to a much broader audience to help them further enrich the community’s values.