The controversy over Richard Serra's Tilted Arc involves a number of issues concerning public art. While this case has prompted what is perhaps the most acrimonious and well-publicized debate over public art, controversies concerning other public artworks have arisen elsewhere with increasing frequency during the last decade. Since each artwork is unique, commentators have tended to regard each public art incident as essentially idiosyncratic, prompted by the impact of a particular artwork, governed by the tastes and degree of sophistication of a specific audience, and provoked by flawed administration, education or political considerations. Nevertheless, amid this apparent particularity, some common issues and interests can be discerned. (p. 18)

CONTENTS
The case of tilted arc.
The lessons of public art commissions.