This book takes a bold look at public art and its populist appeal, offering a more inclusive guide to America's creative tastes and shared culture. It examines the history of American public art - from FDR's New Deal to Christo's "The Gates" - and challenges preconceived notions of public art, expanding its definition to include a broader scope of works and concepts.
Expands the definition of public art to include sites such as Boston's Big Dig, Las Vegas' Treasure Island, and Disney World
Offers a refreshing alternative to the traditional rhetoric and criticism surrounding public art
Includes insightful analysis of the museum and its role in relation to public art

A Companion to Public Art is the only scholarly volume to examine the main issues, theories, and practices of public art on a comprehensive scale. Edited by two distinguished scholars with contributions from art historians, critics, curators, and art administrators, as well as artists themselves Includes 19 essays in four sections: tradition, site, audience, and critical frameworks Covers important topics in the field, including valorizing victims, public art in urban landscapes and on university campuses, the role of digital technologies, jury selection committees, and the intersection of public art and mass media Contains "artist's philosophy" essays, which address larger questions about an artist's body of work and the field of public art, by Julian Bonder, eteam (Hajoe Moderegger and Franziska Lamprecht), John Craig Freeman, Antony Gormley, Suzanne Lacy, Caleb Neelon, Tatzu Nishi, Greg Sholette, and Alan Sonfist.

This book takes a bold look at public art and its populist appeal, offering a more inclusive guide to America's creative tastes and shared culture. It examines the history of American public art - from FDR's New Deal to Christo's "The Gates" - and challenges preconceived notions of public art, expanding its definition to include a broader scope of works and concepts.
Expands the definition of public art to include sites such as Boston's Big Dig, Las Vegas' Treasure Island, and Disney World
Offers a refreshing alternative to the traditional rhetoric and criticism surrounding public art
Includes insightful analysis of the museum and its role in relation to public art