What is the role of public art in our communities? And how has it changed across the timespan of human history? From the mysterious construction of Stonehenge in Scotland to Anish Kapoor's Cloud Gate (affectionately called ‘The Bean’) in Chicago, public art has always served a purpose. Whether it provides a space for sacred rituals or acts as a monument to a bustling metropolis, public art has the power to spark conversations and deepen our sense of community. Today, we are honored to welcome back Badir McCleary, whose passion and commitment to public art has led him across the country for Remote, an exclusive video series in partnership with NOT REAL ART! exploring and documenting public art in all its glorious complexity. Tuning in you’ll hear us catch up with Badir, as we chat about the episodes he’s done for Remote thus far, the fascinating artworks and artists he’s come across, and what he’s uncovered about the ever-evolving role of public art. Discover key lessons from his two-part series in Washington DC about the government’s role in public art, how his eye-opening conversation with Charles Dixon deepened his knowledge of producing these types of artworks, along with a whole host of insights from other fascinating cities he’s covered like Los Angeles and San Antonio. Our conversation also unpacks key themes in public art, such as the role of technology in contemporary pieces, why allocating resources to marketing and storytelling is essential, how public art can foster community engagement, plus a whole lot more. Join us today as we delve into the multi-faceted nature of public art and the immense sense of wonder it can instill in all of us!Key Points From This Episode:Catching up with Badir on the work he’s been doing for Remote, his series on public art.Public art in San Antonio and how it has grown and flourished over the last decade.Insights into his two-part series on Washington DC for Remote.Key differences in how people engage with public art versus art in a gallery or museum.Chicago’s thriving public art scene and why Badir would love to do a Remote episode on it.Unpacking the role of scale in public art, especially for contemporary pieces.How technology can be used to educate and provide information on public art pieces.The importance of allocating resources to marketing and storytelling for public artworks.Reflecting on Desert X, the first installation of his Remote series, and why it’s worth watching.How the function of public art has evolved over centuries.Why Badir’s Remote episode set in Philadelphia is so special to him.Philadelphia’s beautiful use of markers sharing the cultural history of public spaces.Inspirational lessons from Badir’s interview with Charles Dixon.Insight into Badir’s upcoming episode on Austin and other parts of Texas.Unpacking the significance of public art in our nation’s capital, Washington DC.For more information, please visit http://notrealart.com/badir-mcCleary