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Queensland Government Built-In Policy

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For thousands of years, sculpture has been an integral part of society. Whether life-like, marble sculptures of the Renaissance (think Michelangelo, Bernini) or ceramic alteration of reality (Henry Moore), art has been the subject of critical commentary and public opinion. This is why the Queensland Government introduced their Art Built-In Policy, a policy aimed at providing funding for public artworks and improving community awareness of the value of public art. In 2006, Michael Keniger, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Queensland evaluated this document and reported that:
"A core function of public art and art in general — (is) to expose the public to artworks and initiate debate about art and aesthetic concerns, public places …show more content…

A bronze chair complements the life-sized, 3-piece work commissioned to artist Michael Parekowhai by the Queensland Government. The World Turns was designed for the anniversary of the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), and Parekowhai was one of three shortlisted artists considered for a piece that was to enhance Queensland's national and international profile and become an emblem for the Australian gallery. Michael Keniger, in his evaluation of Queensland Government's Built-In policy, mentioned that the core function of public art is to expose the public to art and to initiate debate about art, and the exposure ofThe World Turns certainly developed controversy. Polar opinions were expressed: Chairman of the sculpture commission Selection Committee Tony Ellwood praised the bronze-casted sculpture for its "responsiveness" towards the cultural significance of Kurilpa point, while Arts Minister Ros Bates, who in agreement with Campbell Newman (the Premier of Queensland) labelled the sculpture an "appalling waste" questioned the $1,000,000 price tag (Cooper, N. 2012). These responses, however, are what draws and engages a community; the exact function of public …show more content…

Featuring a wavy structural line and kinetic orange rings, the 9 metre artwork was designed to reflect its environment through motion of its circular attachments, and to expose the public to the "act of looking" and the "process of change" (4). Professor Keniger's argument that the the focus of public art is to "expose the public to artworks" and initiate debate on aesthetic concerns is mirrored in the success of the Rejuvenation Project—it was voted as one of the most well-designed in Queensland—and the division of public opinion at occurred after Opto's installation. Opinions ranged from negatives—the expression "the world's biggest bubble blower" was utilised (Courier Mail, 2011)—to constructive; Councillor Rae Frawley applauded the artwork for "providing a sense of place" and reflecting the atmosphere of its location. This social response to the sculpture, this community engagement, is supported in Keniger's statement, who declared it not only a surplus feature but a necessity of public

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