Question

the national mall where lins memorial rests has seen other public art controversies as well. the 2011 monument to civil rights leader dr. martin luther king, jr., was criticized for its foreign artist as well as for the quotes chosen to accompany the sculpted figure. the record for the longest public art controversy on the mall belongs to the franklin delano roosevelt monument. designs selected in 1959 and 1966 were scrapped following public criticism. a monument designed in 1974 was finally built in 1997, but even this design had its critics. some wanted the monument to picture roosevelt in a wheelchair, even though the president never let himself be photographed with his chair visible. a compromise was struck and the final design included a small wheel visible beneath the seated presidents cloak. a second figure of the president added to the monument in 2001 shows the wheelchair completely.

public art engages with a broad population and can spark intense debate. it can be expensive and may be funded by taxpayer money. the works are commissioned by governments or other entities that may not have consulted with communities or other constituencies. as the lee monument (see 1.1) reveals, public sculpture may reflect values that the community no longer promotes. each of these characteristics can make works of public art controversial. at the same time, public art can also educate us, make us think, lift our spirits, bring us solace, and beautify our spaces.

what was a main point of...

what was a main point of contention over the designs for the franklin delano roosevelt monument?

multiple choice

there was debate over whether to show his wheelchair.
it seemed dangerous to passersby.
the artist was a self-taught sculptor.
it did not feature familiar symbols of heroism.

Explanation:

Analyze the question and text

The question asks for a main point of contention over the designs for the Franklin Delano Roosevelt monument.

Locate evidence in the text

Using the Public Art Debates knowledge point, we examine the provided text:
"Some wanted the monument to picture Roosevelt in a wheelchair, even though the president never let himself be photographed with his chair visible. A compromise was struck and the final design included a small wheel visible beneath the seated president's cloak."

Match with the options

The text directly states that the debate was about whether to depict Roosevelt in his wheelchair. This matches the first option: "There was debate over whether to show his wheelchair."

Answer:

• (A) There was debate over whether to show his wheelchair. (Correct answer)
• (B) It seemed dangerous to passersby.
• (C) The artist was a self-taught sculptor.
• (D) It did not feature familiar symbols of heroism.