Public Art & Spatial Politics – ArtoftheMOOC.org

The Obama Portraits and What They Mean

Recently, the former president and first-lady unveiled their portraits that would be added to a collection of presidential portraits in the Museum of Fine Arts. Both of the portrait’s African American artists, Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald, were chosen by Mr. and Mrs. Obama. These portraits serve as symbols in many ways. For example, the …

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Stalker or Artist?

Sophie Calle is a French writer, photographer, installation artist, and conceptual artist. One of the most significant feature of her is the detective-like ability to follow strangers and investigate their private lives. For example, in her 1979 work Suite Venitienne, Calle followed a man she met at a party in Paris to Venice, where she disguised …

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Graffiti – Art or Vandalism?

When thinking about graffiti, many think of spraypainted concrete or brick walls. Maybe they are in a random tunnel on the highway, urban alleyway, or on the pavement/sidewalk. Many do not think of it as art, but rather, vandalism. In a greater social perspective, people believe that if the creation of an art project involves …

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What is art?

It’s interesting to me that we as a society consistently contest what justifies something as art. Everyone sees the world through a different lens, and in my opinion, it’s unjust to personally qualify something as artistic based on personal assumptions. Even if the majority of society discredits a piece of work, all it takes is …

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Interactive public art

The yellow rubber duck shown above went viral for the last few years. The original giant floating artwork was designed by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman. His creation serves a very simple purpose: making more people happy. Without any doubt, popularity of this lovable duck proved his goal has been accomplished. It went out for a world tour from Saint-Nazaire …

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To whom does it belong?

In 1981, Tilted Arc was on display in Manhattan after Richard Serra was commissioned to make the piece of art. However, due to public complaints, the Tilted Arc was removed years later and Richard Serra started a law case regarding the removal of his artwork. This particular event is particularly interesting in that it provokes …

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Art doesn’t have to be pretty

Watching the videos in the public art&pedagogy section, It was clear that there exists no consensus on what art is and surely none for what it is not. While this idea might be disconcerting for those with orderly minds, it is a relief to many–including me. The fluidity of art allows room for fascinating, creative, …

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