Mural as a Living Element of Urban Space: Seasonal Dynamics and Social Perception of “The Four Seasons with Kora” in Warsaw

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

A very interesting and original article, on a fascinating topic, combining empirical research with multiple and updated theoretical sources. 

It doesn't seem accurate to state that the work "can serve as a starting point for further research on the impact of art on public space and society" (line 208), as that implies that such research has never been done before. This is not true, as proved by the literature review.

The logical and discursive sequence between paragraphs on lines 209-210 is unclear.  

Section 5.3 should end on line 348, as the folowing lines repeat some of the content of section 5.4 on "Light". Furthermore, the "colour scheme" (line 350) has already been addressed on section 5.2.

The weakest section of the article is located between lines 388 and 402, as there is no evidence on how the mural "primarily evokes admiration and joy" (line 388). Is that because of the online posts? But these are only introduced and - rather briefly - analised in the following section 5.6, although some conclusions about the "reception and reaction of the audience" are anticipated, in a quite misplaced way, on lines 403 to 406.

The "Summary" does not provide comprehensive scientific/factual arguments on how "street art can influence ecological and cultural awareness" (line 469), how the "mural has become a platform for education and dialogue" (line 470), and how it promotes understanding of the "cultural heritage of the city" (472).

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Overall, language is sometimes naif, and subjective expressions like "extraordinary" (line 100) and "brilliant" (line 271) should be avoided. 

There is some text missing on line 181.

Lines 403-404 should be rephrased to: "The reception and reaction of the audience to the photos of the mural posted online are reflected on the comments."

Author Response

Thank you very much for your comments. In response to them, we would like to point out the following:

A very interesting and original article, on a fascinating topic, combining empirical research with multiple and updated theoretical sources.

Thank You

It doesn't seem accurate to state that the work "can serve as a starting point for further research on the impact of art on public space and society" (line 208), as that implies that such research has never been done before. This is not true, as proved by the literature review.

Yes, indeed, the phrase used may not only suggest a lack of modesty and balance, but also be misleading. Therefore, we are removing the phrase "as a starting point" from line 208.

The logical and discursive sequence between paragraphs on lines 209-210 is unclear. 

That's right, we propose to add the phrase: “in a particular way: participates in its construction”

Section 5.3 should end on line 348, as the folowing lines repeat some of the content of section 5.4 on "Light". Furthermore, the "colour scheme" (line 350) has already been addressed on section 5.2.

As suggested, part of the text (due to repetitions) was removed, the remaining part of the paragraph was moved to section 5.4.

The weakest section of the article is located between lines 388 and 402, as there is no evidence on how the mural "primarily evokes admiration and joy" (line 388). Is that because of the online posts? But these are only introduced and - rather briefly - analised in the following section 5.6, although some conclusions about the "reception and reaction of the audience" are anticipated, in a quite misplaced way, on lines 403 to 406.

Indeed, we propose to delete this paragraph.

The "Summary" does not provide comprehensive scientific/factual arguments on how "street art can influence ecological and cultural awareness" (line 469), how the "mural has become a platform for education and dialogue" (line 470), and how it promotes understanding of the "cultural heritage of the city" (472).

Changed from categorical judgments to hypotheses.

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Overall, language is sometimes naif, and subjective expressions like "extraordinary" (line 100) and "brilliant" (line 271) should be avoided.

Indeed, we deleted this subjective expressions.

There is some text missing on line 181.

Added “community”

Lines 403-404 should be rephrased to: "The reception and reaction of the audience to the photos of the mural posted online are reflected on the comments."

Done

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

An interesting socio-ethnographic method of studying the impact of murals on society. Although the article deals only with one mural, the conclusions drawn are, in my opinion, valid and legitimate, and are generally applicable to such a democratic art as murals. However, I would suggest adding to  the bibliography, and possibly as an additional paragraph, a few sentences on the important and difficult issue of preserving murals, which are not permanent in their composition, in urban space (e.g. A. Pawłowska et al., Problems of Expositions and Protection of Banksy's Murals, "International Jurnal of Conservation Science".

Author Response

Thank you very much for your comments. In response to them, we would like to point out the following:

 

An interesting socio-ethnographic method of studying the impact of murals on society. Although the article deals only with one mural, the conclusions drawn are, in my opinion, valid and legitimate, and are generally applicable to such a democratic art as murals.

Thank You

 However, I would suggest adding to  the bibliography, and possibly as an additional paragraph, a few sentences on the important and difficult issue of preserving murals, which are not permanent in their composition, in urban space (e.g. A. Pawłowska et al., Problems of Expositions and Protection of Banksy's Murals, "International Jurnal of Conservation Science".

Added: „Due to its size, i.e. an area of several dozen square meters, and therefore the impossibility of covering it with a plexiglass plate or moving it to a gallery, it is an object that is particularly vulnerable to destruction, e.g. by vandals or air pollution. This fact adds another potential dimension to this work of art, which may indicate resonance with its surroundings (Pawłowska, 2023)”

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Some last minor corrections to be made:

Line 180: ...perceived by observers and how it interacts with the community, as...

Lines 209-210: As Sarah Pink emphasizes, photography is connected to reality in a particular way by participating : participates in its construction. 

Line 388: 5.6. Analysis of the Posts Regarding the Mural 

Line 453: allow us for making to formulate a hypotheses that: (1) street art ca

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Only some minor mistakes were detected and noted down for correction in the field above.