Art in the Public Realm: Oslo Project II

Course Description

Summary

Through the experience of developing with Jon Isherwood a site-specific, commissioned work of art for the U.S. Embassy in Oslo, Norway, students in this course will examine the definition, unique challenges, history, and implementation of public art. In the second-half of this year-long course, the class will continue to conduct case studies of public art projects and to explore the various dimensions of designing and implementing a site-specific project. How does the artist engage in the diplomatic arena? What are the implications of the arts as “soft diplomacy”? How do the social and political come into play when considering the cultural heritage of a country and how does an artist balance aesthetics with diplomacy and logistics? How are landscape, geology, and ecology considered when placing a work permanently?