Public Art Encounters

‘The intersection of geography and the humanities provides fertile ground for the exploration of public art, and this collection does not disappoint. Through a diverse range of case studies, from Birmingham to Budapest, this book offers a dazzling summary of the state-of-the-art in critical geohumanities to document the different ways that public art is encountered, and contested, in particular contexts. Rather than treating public art as part of the backdrop against which urban life is played out, this book puts it front and central. Essential reading for anyone interested in the new scholarly interactions occurring at the point at which geography, art and place converge.’

– Phil Hubbard, Professor in Urban Studies, King’s College London, UK

'By analysing specific public art projects through the frames of "power (the politics of encountering), affect (the embodied ways of encountering) and diversity (the inclusiveness of encountering)" this invitational anthology incorporates a multiplicity of disciplines - anthropology, art, art history, aesthetics, geography, history, heritage studies, performance and media studies, and sociology, among others – using a variety of productive methodologies. International in scope, its projects are located in many areas not typically covered in the existing literature: Birmingham (England), Budapest, London, Melbourne, Saskatchewan, Singapore, South Africa, Toronto, Vancouver, and Zimbabwe. This volume provides a range of essential tools for considering how public art has been and continues to be experienced by a multiplicity of audiences and is variously integrated into our actual and virtual spaces.’

– Harriet Senie, Professor of Art History, City College of New York, USA

‘A welcome intervention by geohumanities scholars into the contemporary debates around art and participation. Simply removing art from the gallery, and collaborating with audiences is not an answer. This collection explores the challenges of exploring the intersections between "art as politics" and "politics as art"; and the struggle inherent in situating and making sense of places, things, people, or collectives of humans and non-humans.’

– Andy C. Pratt, Professor of Cultural Economy and Director, Centre for Culture & the Creative Industries, City University of London, UK

‘Public art and its role as placemaker, identity-definer and political tool is a rich area of research and study.Zebracki and Palmer have curated an excellent collection of essays that give fresh perspective on these themes. With a focus on diversity of location and audience, of context and implementation, this is essential reading.’

– Andrew Shoben, Professor of Public Art and Computation, Goldsmiths, University of London, UK