As Politicians Break Promises, This Public Artwork Keeps Them
Paul Ramírez Jonas debuted his participatory artwork “Public Trust” months before Trump was first elected. A decade on, it feels more urgent than ever.
Toronto residents were recently invited by Paul Ramírez Jonas to engage in a public art project called "Public Trust." This interactive artwork invited participants to make a promise, swear on it, and have it memorialized in a unique contract. One of the promises made was "I promise to disagree better." The project, first showcased in 2016 in Boston before Donald Trump's presidency, has since become a benchmark for its commissions.
"Public Trust" juxtaposed the promises of ordinary Bostonians with the daily headlines of other commitments, including those made by politicians, corporations, and weather forecasters. This blending of personal and authoritative promises encourages reflection on the power of our words, participation, and role in the democratic process.
Ramírez Jonas hopes this project will eventually become irrelevant, but in the lead-up to the upcoming municipal election in Toronto, it serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of sitting down with a stranger and making a promise.
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