Section A17: Public Art and the Popular Imagination
In this seminar we will consider the many ways in which public art--whether in the form of monuments, museums, or individual commissions--functions as a reflection of cultural values, politics and even protest. How, for example, do public art commissions define (or redefine) the spaces they occupy? In what ways do museums shape historical, aesthetic or racial narratives? Can ephemeral art convey the same authority and power as more permanent monuments? Students enrolled in this seminar will explore these issues through targeted readings, class discussion, written assignments, visits to local museums and other sites--and will also have the unique opportunity to work directly with Patrick Dougherty, a renowned environmental artist, who will be creating a monumental sculpture on Wheaton's campus in early September (to view Dougherty's work, see Stickwork.net).