How Ceramic Clay Public Art Installations Evoke Sympathy

Abstract This article explores how ceramic public art installations evoke empathy through cultural and emotional expression. Zheng Zeng, the author, uses an ethnographic approach to understand how ceramic sculptures engage audiences both physically and psychologically, inspiring them to connect with their own emotions and memories. The article highlights the evolving role of clay in contemporary art, particularly in relation to public art, and emphasizes the cultural significance of this ancient material, especially within Chinese art and culture. Public art is analyzed in the context of different regions around the world, including Western countries, Asia, Africa, and Latin America, each of which has a unique relationship with public artistic expression. In the West, public art often addresses urban renewal and social issues, while in Asia, it merges tradition with modernity. In Africa, public art is closely tied to community life, and in Latin America, it is often linked to social movements and class struggles. The article also explores two key aspects of public art: "autonomy" and "publicness." Autonomy represents the independent value of art, while publicness emphasizes community engagement. Despite their inherent contradiction, balancing these concepts is essential for public art to maintain creative independence while serving the community. The use of clay as a medium for public art is examined, emphasizing its historical, cultural, and spiritual significance in Chinese culture. At the same time, it surfaces that clay exists in the most primitive relationship with humans. Examples include Ai Weiwei's Sunflower Seeds and Wei Hua's large-scale installations, both of which effectively integrate ceramic materials into public art. Finally, Zeng reflects on personal experiences in Swansea, highlighting the integration of Eastern and Western cultural elements and emphasizing community interaction as key to fostering cultural exchange and emotional resonance.