Works inspired by my Set in Stone: Public Space and Memory in Changing Societies course at Indiana University.
Course Description: This course will explore the notion of public space and monuments in changing societies. We will study the history of various urban design movements from the City Beautiful Movement to current trends of Creative Placemaking. The course will question the role that the arts play in public space from monuments and commemorative memorials to current issues of displacement and community development. The course will be divided into four sections: City Beautiful and Urbanism; Monument and Memorial; Site, Space and Memory; and Invisible and Untold Histories. This course will consider how public art, memorials and public space may shape our understanding of community, identity, citizenry, and civic religion. Students will develop in-class assignments, visit local public artworks on campus, dialogue with local professionals within public arts practices, develop a proposal for a public work/site/memorial, consider contemporary critique and artists/designers within the field of public art, and learn about public space strategies.