What We Have Learned about Modern Public Sculpture: Ten Propositions

Elsen, Albert

doi:10.1080/00043249.1989.10792644

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…In the 1989 article, What we have learned about Modern Sculpture, Elsen discusses the imperative role public sculpture now plays in the creation of social consciousness and thought [4]. He writes about the 1983 sculpture by Red Grooms, titled the Shoot-Out, which sparked huge public outrage from many, including feminists and Native Americans, over the trivializing of violence, persecution and the public belittling Indians are still subjected to.…”

Section: Background Of Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Recent developments in modern public sculpture suggest that there remains the need for memorials through which the community may publicly express private grief. Contradicting the view that modern sculpture lacks the power of past public art are examples of artists treating controversial subjects in ways that have stirred the community [4]. Public sculpture will be effectively rendered sterile when it is located in such a manner that it is impracticable for it to vigorously interact with the people.…”

Section: On Location and Public Sculpturementioning

confidence: 99%

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Public Sculptures in Lagos Metropolis; a Brief History and Critique

Akande¹

2020

URP

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This study takes a look at the public sculpture enterprise in Lagos, Nigeria. It examines its background and the philosophical framework guiding the practice. Because a huge amount of resources, both financial and otherwise, go into the production and installation of public sculpture, it becomes important to appraise the 'success' of these works, particular as many are seen to have fallen short of expected impact. This study adopted qualitative research methods and it relied mainly on secondary data, though extensive physical observation of the discussed sculptural pieces was also carried out. This paper presents an inventory of major sculptural installation in Lagos Metropolis since 1945 when the first public sculpture is believed to have been installed. The study assesses the corpus of Lagos' public sculpture, testing them against three variables of size, location and subject content. The results show that an underlining tension exists between expected impact of public sculpture and a reality of irreverence from the people in Lagos. It was found that this gap stems from early subliminal doctrines of traditional Yoruba religion and the consequent confusion of the purpose of public sculpture. This study concludes that to mitigate on this gap, feasibility tests focused on size, location and meaning of proposed sculpture must be rigorously carried out in order to increase the 'success' and acceptance rates of public sculpture projects.

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Section: Background Of Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: On Location and Public Sculpturementioning

confidence: 99%