What has been realized?...What has been dreamt and yet still a reality in the eye of the artist? In a true honouring of the precedent of the original Paris - Salon, 133 artists have been accepted into the Salon des Refuses - Sights Unseen, from 4 continents, 11 countries, ranging from well established artists; Janet Echleman, Mierle Laderman Ukeles to Vito Acconi and Buster Simpson  -  to emerging artists and newly minted unknowns engaging the sphere of public art with strong aesthetics of performance, process and thinking that represents a new dynamic in to address art in public space.

After reviewing ALL of the submissions and reading the narratives provided, my only question is this: What is the future of public art when great ideas are not realized? Can temporary site interventions now take a forefront to spur change and build a dialogue about art with communities? How can artists and vision be supported in new ways that might catapult the aesthetics of art in public space and help the jury process/curatorial choices become about amazing art? What about video and new media...not so new - yet, we are all new to the experience, and the viewers in all communities and neighborhoods value the same thing, to be thought of with a meaningful dialogue. 

The presentation is a scrolling visual dialgoue with an introduction on the themes, the process and the  value of the artist in public realm, and how to inspire invention for truly dynamic spaces.

Salon des Refuses will be presented by Stuart Keeler as part of the Americans for the Arts Public Art Preconference, Thursday, June 24, 7:45-9:00 PM at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront hotel.