'It-Taraġ' : M.A. project discussing contemporary public art as an art for social debate

Abstract

This thesis and project 'it-Taraġ', treats Public Art in a way different to traditional understandings and purposes of this type of art. The project promotes a relation between a public artwork and social life, trying to provoke debate for the betterment of the public itself, encouraging tolerance in civic life. A Public art that is not about historical monuments, but a contribution to the ongoing desire to identify who we are, contributes to social change, shocks, excites, challenges social conventions, has to mean, educates, inspires, celebrates and remembers, draws us together, envisions new paradigms, and crosses disciplines, and can serve as a catalyst for change. Academic research together with practical abilities in diverse skills proved key to come to terms with the necessary materials to realise the project and succeed in transforming the idea into a tangible artwork. The main aim of the project is the creation of a new audience for this artwork and the engaging society into a social debate instigated by the artwork's concept, resulting into a political act. Moreover, this new audience creates a new form of criticism that feature opinions and comments from varied positions of expertise to a comprehensive and rational whole, one that includes both conceptual and aesthetic criticism.