Abstract

Through this paper, we present our analysis of the social function of public art. As a form of theoretical research, we consider various perspectives on what different works of art do in societies. We believe that public art is a form of education related to the sustainability of cultures. When groups erect works of public art in their communities, they are typically created with lasting materials to enable that group to project their ideas and beliefs to future citizens. The question of which people or events within the history of a society should be monumentalized is controversial as Levinson (1998) noted.

Keywords

Public art, theoretical inquiry, social aspects of art

Authors

Melanie L. Buffington Virginia Commonwealth University (USA)

Supriya Manandhar Virginia Commonwealth University (USA)

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