Explanation
Correct answer: D.
Choice D is the best answer because the critics mentioned in Text 2 would argue that negative reactions to controversial public art are not solely the result of the nature of the art itself. The claim in Text 1 suggests that public artworks tend to provoke backlash when they are not “aesthetically and conceptually bland.” This implies that the content of public art alone can cause backlash. However, the critics in Text 2 offer a more nuanced explanation. They argue that norm-defying pieces of public art that are not “effectively integrated within their surroundings” are more likely to be judged harshly by the public. They also imply that a museum provides a context that prepares viewers to expect challenging art, while public environments that serve other purposes often do not. This indicates that the critics in Text 2 would contend that factors beyond the attributes of the art, like environment and presentation, play a significant role in how public art is received.
Why the other choices are wrong
Choice A
Choice A is incorrect because the critics in Text 2 do not argue that unconventionality is unrelated to public disagreement about a public artwork’s merits. Rather, they acknowledge that norm-defying pieces do face unfavorable reactions, but they attribute such reactions to contextual factors like poor integration with the environment rather than dismissing the role of unconventionality entirely.
Choice B
Choice B is incorrect because the critics in Text 2 do not advocate for restricting public art to universally appealing works. Instead, they argue that better integration with the surroundings and situating the work in appropriate contexts could help norm-defying art be better received by passersby.
Choice C
Choice C is incorrect because the critics in Text 2 do not address whether civic leaders and community members are easily satisfied by norm-reinforcing art. The critics in Text 2 instead argue that installation and integration with the surrounding environment factor into how norm-defying art is received by the general public, rather than disputing how people respond to conventional art.