ABSTRACT
Public memory in Austria has been slow to evolve, hampered by the public's wavering commitment to come to terms with the nation's past history of persecution and murder of minority groups. Art activism is innovative in its use of public space to address issues of sociopolitical and cultural significance. A nation's public art program is a tool frequently used by governments to shape national consciousness and public memory. Concepts of citizenship, economic development, and ideas about freedom served integral roles in the establishment of sovereign nations. Austria emerged as a sovereign state in 1955 and was named the Second Republic of Austria. In considering the political underpinnings of public memory, critical theorist Nancy Fraser's remarks about public space are also pertinent to conversations about public memory. The public nature of the project's installation aimed at cultivating public conversations about memory as ordinary citizens went about their daily routines.
