31. What are aesthetics?/The aesthetic function of public art

Curated by Gavin Wade as part of his Strategic Questions projects.

Venice Biennale, 8 June - 6 November 2005. Location of artwork: Ponte dei Barcaroli, on the Calle dei Frutariol, San Marco district, Venice Biennale, and free poster/publication available at various Biennale sites. (Poster/publication still available by request from Freee). Launched at Campo S. Fantin/bridge at Calle Chiesa, San Marco,5-6pm, Friday 10th June, 2005. 

Also Shown: Pimps and Hookers, 1000000 mph gallery, curated Esther Windsor, 59 Old Bethnal Green Road London. Show runs 8 July - 6 August 2006. Supported by the British Council and the Arts Council, England.

The Aesthetic Function Of Public Art is the final work in the series of text works entitled the Three Functions. The works entitled, The Economic Function Of Public Art, The Social Function Of Public Art, and The Aesthetic Function Of Public Art, aim to examine the tensions and contradictions that exist within public art. The Aesthetic Function Of Public Art describes the ideology of aesthetics, a charismatic and deceptive form of knowledge, often described as good taste that as Dave Beech describes, ‘fulfils its social function by masquerading as asocial. Taste conceals its modes of acquisition so that its social divisiveness appears as natural distinctions between those who have it and those who don’t.’

The text work aims to contest the aesthetic ideology of public art and to enter into a discourse about the reformation of culture.

Listen to a radio interview conducted by Peter Coffin from WPS1 with Andy Hewitt, Mel Jordan, Gavin Wade, Susan Philipsz and Christina Kennedy. Real Player required.

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