Kari Rittenbach's Critical Analysis of Thomas Hirschhorn's Gramsci Monument
On November 17, 2014, Afterall published an essay by Kari Rittenbach that examines Thomas Hirschhorn's Gramsci Monument, which was installed in the South Bronx during the summer of 2013. This work, commissioned by the Dia Art Foundation, followed previous monuments dedicated to Spinoza, Deleuze, and Bataille. The Gramsci Monument featured daily lectures by Marcus Steinweg, seminars led by Gayatri Spivak and others, art classes conducted by Hirschhorn, open-microphone events, and a daily newspaper. Rittenbach contends that its overwhelming production complicates critique by addressing sensitive issues like class and race, while Hirschhorn focuses on formalism. Although it provided above-minimum wages and community contributions, she argues it reinforces privileges within the art establishment and neglects Gramsci's political theory, blurring the lines between art and political engagement.
Key facts
- Gramsci Monument was installed at Forest Houses in the South Bronx, New York City, summer 2013.
- Commissioned by Dia Art Foundation.
- Part of Hirschhorn's series of precarious monuments to philosophical heroes.
- Program included lectures by Marcus Steinweg, seminars by Spivak, Enwezor, Kelley, Wilderson, Buci-Glucksmann.
- Hirschhorn taught a four-hour art class each Friday.
- Daily newspaper edited by Saquan Scott and Lakesha Bryant.
- Residents paid above New York State minimum wage.
- Monument donated materials and equipment to community after summer.
Entities
Artists
- Thomas Hirschhorn
- Kari Rittenbach
- Marcus Steinweg
- Gayatri Spivak
- Okwui Enwezor
- Robin D.G. Kelley
- Frank Wilderson
- Christine Buci-Glucksmann
- Yasmil Raymond
- Phil Beder
- Saquan Scott
- Lakesha Bryant
- Glenn Ligon
- Fred Moten
- Antonio Gramsci
- Claire Bishop
- Miwon Kwon
- Ben Davis
Institutions
- Afterall
- Dia Art Foundation
- Forest Houses
- Casa Museo di Antonio Gramsci
- Fondazione Istituto Gramsci
- John D. Calandra Italian American Institute
- Queens College
- Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts
- Artforum
Locations
- South Bronx
- New York City
- United States
- Amsterdam
- Avignon
- Kassel
- Sardinia
- Rome
- Italy
Sources
- Afterall —