Role that public art has played in past and present society

Sample Solution

    Public art has been a long-standing component of society, whether it be through sculpture, installation, performance or street art. From ancient monuments to present day murals and graffiti works, public art reflects the values and beliefs of its respective audience. Over time,

public art has evolved from traditional forms such as sculptures to more contemporary pieces that tackle social issues – including racism, sexism and climate change. By doing so, public art is able to engage with its local communities in meaningful ways while encouraging dialogue surrounding societal topics. As we move further into the future, public art will continue to serve as a vehicle for expressing current social concerns while providing an avenue for meaningful discussion on these matters. One example of historical public artwork can be seen in Michelangelo’s statue David located in Florence Italy (1440-1460). The marble statue was commissioned by the city government and placed outside the Palazzo Vecchio where it served as a symbol of civic pride for Florence. The heroic figure displays themes related to republican liberty which were highly valued during this period. This piece continues to act as a representation of Italian culture today which allows visitors from around the world to observe both its artistic beauty and cultural significance (Lugli). More recently, contemporary artist Mark Bradford created America’s Flag: Four Seasons (2017) - an intricate painting composed entirely out of woven strips of canvas covered in acrylic paint located at Chicago’s Museum Of Contemporary Art (MCA). Through his work Bradford aims “to illustrate how history can estrange us from our national identity”(Cotter). In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, America's Flag: Four Seasons was designed with socio-political issues in mind. He explores themes such as segregation by race within urban areas across America along with other racial divides affecting American life today - serving as a reminder that much progress must still be made before equity is achieved throughout all demographics within our country (The Broad). In conclusion ,public artwork serves many purposes ranging from celebrating culture/history or raising awareness on current social issues; all ultimately contributing towards strengthening relationships between community members or providing insight on difficult topics . For example ,through their unique perspectives artists are often able open dialogue amongst those who may not have interacted otherwise ; allowing them mutual understanding on particular subjects rather than confrontation . Public artwork holds potential for even greater usage going forward especially when combined with technology--offering new dimensions when discussing complex ideas through innovative interactive experiences .