Comments on: Gentle Disturbances

By: I Thawt I Thaw 2008 -pt5 « ‘Bout What I Sees

I Thawt I Thaw 2008 -pt5 « ‘Bout What I Sees — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 18:08:11 +0000

[...] Thawt I Thaw 2008 -pt5 To continue with this idea that “[...] large-scale public work help us define where we are, who we are and who we want to be.” I see a need for Art and Architecture to come [...]

By: I Thawt I Thaw 2008 -pt4 « ‘Bout What I Sees

I Thawt I Thaw 2008 -pt4 « ‘Bout What I Sees — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 05:13:27 +0000

[...] Thanks to likes of First Night Austin, Austin Arts Alliance and Landmarks, there’s mounting pressure for more engaging public art. Even Downtown Austin Alliance is coming up with decent work [PDF]. Of course their jurisdiction is limited.Â We need a city wide initiative to give Austin the process and discussion of public art that gives us an insight into Austin’s perception of itse…. [...]

By: Matt Smith

Matt Smith — Mon, 27 Mar 2006 17:33:14 +0000

I look at the issue from a different perspective. The conversation seems to be how one goes about making communist art in a society entirely smitten with the capitalist model. When I say communist, I specifically mean the economic model and not to be confused with socialism. To conceive a public piece and acquire public or government money to make a piece of artwork that cannot be commodified and is intended for the ‘everyman’-(whoever that is), you are making a statement about the role of art and its place in society, as much as you are making art. These large scale ‘public’ projects seem the last bastion of the free and ephemeral arts of the 60′s. But thatÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s over and for good reason. Cities should be running a business model! Cities should be weighing the benefits and impact of a public works project with the cost and integration. They should ask whether the impact long-term or short-term serves the interest of the city and its people MORE than the egos of the artist who create the projects. Sera, Christo etc. (I am all for them acquiring funding of their own projects on their own terms, which they do) When their are poor and un-educated who are in need why would a city choose to make elitist art that serves none of their interests. Priorities… Continue to make excellent work but donÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t expect everyone to pay for it and donÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t be surprised when they want it to be permanent.