Participatory art project examines the nature of public promises
Art installation prompts public to make and display notarized promises, contrasting with broken political pledges.
Paul Ramírez Jonas, "Public Trust" (2016) in Boston (all photos by and courtesy Ryan C. McMahon, unless otherwise noted) (Photo via Hyperallergic)
A decade after its debut, the participatory art project Public Trust continues to invite participants to document and display their personal promises in public spaces. Created by artist Paul Ramírez Jonas, the installation asks individuals to make a commitment that is then notarized and featured on a large-scale marquee alongside promises sourced from daily news headlines, including statements from politicians, corporations, and weather forecasters.
The project recently concluded a three-week exhibition in Toronto that ran from Sept. 15, 2026, to Oct. 4, 2026. Presented by The Bentway, the installation serves as a platform to explore civic participation and the evolving nature of trust in public institutions and the media. Anna Gallagher-Ross, director of programming at The Bentway, oversaw the recent presentation of the work.
Public Trust first premiered in Boston in 2016, commissioned by Kate Gilbert, the founder of Now + There. Since that initial launch, the project has been showcased in 19 cities globally. According to Ramírez Jonas, the work is intended to examine why individuals hold to their word and how they remain responsible for their claims.
Reflecting on the project in a Nov. 3, 2026, article for Hyperallergic, the artist noted that the work aims to highlight the distinction between truth and falsehood in public discourse. Ramírez Jonas emphasized that the piece is designed to be accessible to the public, stating that the project should ideally be located in outdoor spaces to reflect the diversity of the population.