Glances and Hands on Public Art

How do we relate to monuments and statues in public spaces? And how do our perceptions shift when history confronts us with new insights? In the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020, many monuments and statues across the world became the focal point of intense debate. Some were torn down, others covered up, and others were re-examined in light of not only colonial and racial oppression, but also the gendered structures they symbolised. This book delves into how we physically and symbolically interact with these public artworks through both sight and touch. Drawing on historical examples and contemporary protests, Glances and Hands on Public Art explores how public monuments shape our collective memory and identity. A range of contrasting and complementary perspectives on this issue are provided here. Artists, researchers, museum managers, critics and civil servants contribute their first-hand experience of tackling these questions, but from very different starting points. Together, the authors provide a kaleidoscopic view of the role of public art as both a reminder of the past and a battleground for present-day societal struggles and cultural discussions. How can we understand our changing attitudes toward these monuments, and what do they mean for the future of public art?