Famous American journalist and humorist Dave Barry once said something about public art. His viewpoint on the selection of artwork for public areas, like parks or city squares, inspired this remark.

Consider a situation in which a committee is charged with selecting artwork to be positioned in the town center. These people are making decisions about how taxpayer dollars should be spent, not spending their own money. Because of this, these artists' works may not always represent their own preferences or passions; rather, they must speak to a wider range of, occasionally less discriminating, sensibilities.

This concept is encapsulated in Dave Barry's observation, which draws attention to the disconnect that can arise when professionals who aren't directly impacted by spending decisions make them. It implies that art chosen in these situations might lose some of its individuality and authenticity, turning into something more about carrying out a public obligation than expressing one's own creativity or vision.

Barry is renowned for his witty observations on American culture and daily life. With a healthy dose of humor, his commentary makes difficult subjects easier to understand by frequently drawing attention to the peculiarities and absurdities in society. In this case, he deftly highlights a component of public spending that many people might ignore but that does have the power to influence how we encounter art on a daily basis.

Choosing art with little personal investment can result in works that lack the passion and individuality found when people put their hearts into their work, much like cooking for a group of people you don't know well can lead to bland meals that try to please everyone's tastes.