Mechtild Widrich's 'Monumental Cares' Examines Monuments, Memory, and Public Space
In her 2023 publication, 'Monumental Cares: Sites of History and Contemporary Art,' released by Manchester University Press, Mechtild Widrich explores monuments as venues for political expression and societal discourse. This 256-page work expands upon her earlier 2014 title, 'Performative Monuments,' and incorporates insights from contemporary scholarship, including Karen Cox's 'No Common Ground' (2021) and Michael Rothberg's 'Multidirectional Memory' (2009). The book analyzes various case studies, such as the Monument Against Fascism in Hamburg-Harburg, Alexandra Pirici's reenactment of the Berlin Wall, and Emilio Rojas's performance from 2014. Widrich organizes her examination around six key themes, emphasizing that monuments must adapt to reflect evolving communities and promote greater public engagement in commemorative practices.
Key facts
- Mechtild Widrich published 'Monumental Cares: Sites of History and Contemporary Art' in 2023
- The 256-page book is published by Manchester University Press
- Widrich's previous 2014 book 'Performative Monuments' analyzed performance art and commemoration
- The book examines monuments as sites of political performance and public debate
- Case studies include works by Alexandra Pirici, Emilio Rojas, Dan Perjovschi, and Yael Bartana
- Widrich engages with theoretical frameworks from Michael Rothberg's 'Multidirectional Memory' (2009)
- The book analyzes the Monument Against Fascism in Hamburg-Harburg by Jochen Gerz and Esther Shalev-Gerz
- Widrich argues monuments should be multidirectional and polyvalent to reflect changing publics
Entities
Artists
- Mechtild Widrich
- Tijana Vujosevic
- Jochen Gerz
- Esther Shalev-Gerz
- Alexandra Pirici
- Emilio Rojas
- Dan Perjovschi
- Ana Lupaș
- Yael Bartana
- Cary Young
- Louise Bourgeois
- Peter Zumthor
- Ai Weiwei
- Jonas Dahlberg
- Marcel Duchamp
- Hannah Wilke
- Walter Benjamin
- Monica Bonvicini
- Honoré Daumier
- Rohit Chawla
- Karen Cox
- Angelika Fitz
- Elke Krasny
- Giuliana Bruno
- Antoine Picon
- Michael Rothberg
- Katherine Zubovich
- John Deighton
Institutions
- Manchester University Press
- Urbanarium
- University of British Columbia
- Musqueam Indian Reserve
- Museum of Contemporary Art
- India Art Fair
- Venice Biennale of Architecture
- ARTMargins Online
- National Memorial for Peace and Justice
- Steilneset Memorial
- House of the People
- Intercontinental
- Architects Against the Housing Alienation
Locations
- Vancouver
- Canada
- Manchester
- United Kingdom
- Hamburg-Harburg
- Germany
- Berlin
- Charlottenburg
- Bucharest
- Romania
- Montgomery
- United States
- Norway
- Vienna
- Austria
- Utøyakaia
- Frankfurt
- Lesbos
- Greece
- Moscow
- Russia
- East Germany
- Balkans
- Near East
Sources
- ARTMargins —
- ARTMargins —