Argumentative Essay On Relation Of “Public” Art To Public Opinion

Public art is a direct reflection of public opinion. People always have their opinions about art and its appropriateness or meaning. These opinions are often based on current cultural trends. When art is within the walls of a museum or home, people tend not to voice objections to it should they have any. When art is placed in a public space this changes. Suddenly everyone has an opinion on whether the artwork should or should not be placed where it is. For instance, fifty years ago it was not abnormal for a stone carving of the Ten Commandments to be outside a courthouse. Now, they have been removed due to public outcry of a religious item being on public property.
This is not the only incident of a piece of art being removed because of public outcry. Unfortunately, this also means that public art can sometimes be stunted. Because the artist must take public opinion into account, they cannot create the same way as they would. This leads to a creation of quasi-art, since art is not necessarily meant to be made to specifically please.
Some public art transcends time. The Viet Nam War memorial is one of those pieces. The reality of the lives lost through war is a reality any generation will understand. As long as the United States exists, the grave of the Unknown Soldier will stand as a melancholy reminder of those who fought for our freedom and are never going to be remembered.
Public art can also end up in public places in order to celebrate the specific place. For instance, Martin Luther King plaza might have a bust of Martin Luther King, Jr. on it.