Let’s get clear on the what, where and why of public art

The ’what’ and ’where’ of public art will continue as long as public funding (the ’how’) is part of the package (’The good, the bad and the ugly’, www.designweek.co.uk/blog, 10 June).

For a public that is seldom – if ever – consulted, the ’what’ is likely to spark huge debate. We are very good at this in the UK because we are always right… each and every one of us, along with our wide-ranging quality thresholds.

The ’where’ debate is easy to address. I recommend we use the parameters of respect and common sense which have been awol for a few years now.

Whatever, wherever we site in the urban environment the commissioners and appointers would do well to take on board the words of art critic Robert Hughes – ’If art can’t tell us something about the world we live in, then there’s no point having it.’ Now, that’s what I call a ’why’ criteria.

Max Holloway, by e-mail