Iowa State has the largest public art collection at any college or university in the nation, with more than 400 major works, but some of those pieces are controversial.

“We acknowledge that sometimes works of art don’t necessarily fit our personal taste,” said Lynette Pohlman, director and chief curator of University Museums. “It is intended to express diversity of thought.”

She said the works or art are controversial because they incite conversations.

“It has been my experience as new works of art come out they tend to be new to the space and so people comment on them,” she said.

“It is also an intrusion into the space. Sometimes they’re accepted immediately and other times it takes a little longer.”

Pohlman said there are a couple of factors in how people see pieces of art.

“The interpretation is based on the true interpretation of the artwork and how we respond to them,” she said. “There is that room for individual interpretation.”

J. Brommel, a Des Moines artist and co-founder of Des Moines Project, has been involved in a controversy regarding a mural of a naked angel he helped paint on the wall of a Des Moines business. He said he thinks there is hypocrisy when it comes to art.

“I don’t see people protesting the statue outside the capitol building,” he said. “The woman there is holding her breast; that is much more graphic.”

He also said he is angry about a mural painted by students at Meredith Middle School in Des Moines being ruled illegal.

“There is some sort of code whether or not you can have two signs in front of a school or business,” he said. “These kids aren’t selling crack on the corner, they are representing their school.”

Brommel said having public art is important for any city.

“I think that it is essential in any developing cultural center,” he said. “It is needed to have an interesting and aesthetic environment.”

He also said it helps people who don’t have the time to get out themselves to see art.

“They’re so caught up in the everyday bullshit of their lives,” he said.

Ames Mayor Ted Tedesco said there are a couple of reasons why art is an essential part of any community.

“It’s a way to express the history,” he said. “I think that it also expresses the depth of the citizens and their cultural nature.”

He said Ames has a lot of art for people to enjoy.

“There’s multitudes of programs,” he said. “All of the arts are handled in the city programs.”

Riad Mahayni, Ames City Council member, said part of Ames’ interest in public art is its level of education.

“This is a very educated city; part of the culture is presence of arts in different forms,” he said.