The Fountain and Public Art

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Alfonso Iannelli believed that public art should make people think. His Fountain of the Pioneers has certainly accomplished this goal. Different people have attached their own meanings to the imagery of the fountain, and the abstract style of the design leaves the meaning of the piece open to interpretation. As an artist, Ianelli was interested in creating art which was uniquely American and relevant to the community for which it was built. The debate over restoring the Fountain of the Pioneers highlights how the public and art interact.

Controversial art by its very nature inspires differences of opinion. Many people would prefer public art to be less controversial. Certainly some would prefer not to see public money used to support and preserve artwork that is controversial. Despite this, controversial art is useful because it generates interest and discussion in subjects that need to be brought to the forefront. Alfonso Iannelli’s Fountain of the Pioneers is a great example of controversial art and how the public interacts with it because it provokes a response from those who see it and live around it. Whether those responses are negative or positive, the Fountain of the Pioneers in fact accomplishes what all mold-breaking artwork should, it inspires interaction. How the public interacts with the fountain will ultimately determine its fate in the years to come.