Responding to A12: DTM public art prize draws entries from around the world

After the events of August 12 last year, Bushman Dreyfus Architects sought to address the idea of monuments and memorials in contemporary civic life by creating the BDA Prize design and ideas competition, inviting architects, artists, and designers to come up with works of public art or architecture that would address some of the many issues that last year’s tragedy raised.

“We are hosting this ideas competition because we believe compelling dialogue can occur through design and art,” says Jeff Bushman. “And especially given the events in Charlottesville last summer, we hope that acts of reflective making will open up potential for a new understanding between members of our community. We’re interested in finding and exploring new expressions of Charlottesville’s spirit of place, and the power of public art in the 21st century.”

More than 80 artists, architects, designers, and citizens from 10 countries responded to the BDA Prize call for entries. And it's quite an array of interesting c…