Many of the most famous works of classical art in the world were transactional and "eagerly public" in their time. The great artists of the renaissance created

Many of the most famous works of classical art in the world were transactional and "eagerly public" in their time. The great artists of the renaissance created many works entirely funded and instigated by rich benefactors or the church, and which were intended for the consumption an awed public. But nowadays we don't look at the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and think about the politics of the patronage relationship between Pope Julius II and Michelangelo. That's a historical issue, of no importance when considering its long-term artistic merit. Great art transcends its origins, no matter what they are. Indeed, perhaps art is made greater by transcending its origins, just as it is by transcending the limitations of its form. The art created by this project probably won't be great, because most art isn't great. But it certainly could be. And, if so, your a priori dismissal of it will look about as informed as a contemporary renaissance critic dismissing a masterpiece as just another piece of church-funded propaganda.