Artist Quote by Jim Carroll
““Is there such a thing as public good? That's all I'm asking. I mean, is your good the same as my good? I doubt that seriously. So, if we do not agree on a common sense of good, then how can there be any larger public good? What about some homeless person who sleeps on a heat grating down the street from that sculpture? Does he feel the public good when he stares up at this excessive interplay of metallic shapes? More likely he interprets this art through the way its form and function are relevant to his life, making this piece fairly useless. Such a lost soul's aesthetic viewpoint is overriden by the terms of his subsistence. Maybe he feels frustrated and hopeless that a behemoth made almost entirely of metal contains no surfaces large enough that he could use as shelter from rain or snow. Seeing the abstract metaphors, analogies, and conclusions that they invoke, or just laughing at the artist's pretense or the corrupt visions, which are particularly rife as this century comes to an end, requires taking your bank account for granted. That's a fine luxury for those with places to sleep and clothes that are clean.””
About This Quote
Public good is contested; differing needs and perspectives can render shared projects meaningless to some.
In simple terms: People see public good differently.
Key Takeaway
Consider diverse needs in communal decisions.
Themes
public good
inequality
art perception
Mood
critical
empathetic
Type
philosophical
inquisitive
When to use this quote
- city planning
- public art installations
- homeless services
- community meetings
Key Concepts
social philosophy
urban design
Questions to Reflect On
- How can public spaces serve both aesthetics and shelter?
- What responsibilities do artists have to marginalized groups?
A Different Perspective
Balancing artistic expression with basic human needs is complex.
