Socrates Sculpture Park Launches Monuments Now, a Multi-Phase Outdoor Exhibition
Monuments Now, an outdoor exhibition at the Socrates Sculpture Park in Queens, New York, is set to run through 2021, featuring a three-phase exploration of the significance of monuments in American culture. The first phase commenced on July 10, showcasing Jeffrey Gibson's "Because Once You Enter My House it Becomes our House," a plywood installation inspired by Cahokia, which incorporates elements from the Great Serpent Mound and Indigenous rights messages, available for viewing until March 14, 2021. Upcoming pieces include Paul Ramírez Jonas's "Eternal Flame" and sculptures by Xaviera Simmons based on historical texts regarding Black rights. A banner by Nona Faustine, "In Praise of Famous Men No More," was installed on July 1, juxtaposing the Lincoln Memorial with the soon-to-be-removed Theodore Roosevelt statue. The second phase, titled "Call and Response," is scheduled to begin in October.
Key facts
- Socrates Sculpture Park in Queens, New York launched Monuments Now, a three-phase outdoor exhibition.
- First phase opened July 10, 2020 with Jeffrey Gibson's sculpture 'Because Once You Enter My House it Becomes our House'.
- Gibson's work evokes pre-Columbian architecture inspired by Cahokia, the largest pre-Columbian city north of Mexico.
- The sculpture is decorated with geometric designs from the Great Serpent Mound in Ohio and Indigenous rights slogans.
- Work remains on view until March 14, 2021, with performances by Indigenous artists.
- Paul Ramírez Jonas's 'Eternal Flame' is a barbecue grill honoring immigrant food culture.
- Xaviera Simmons's sculptures use historical texts on Black disenfranchisement.
- Nona Faustine's banner 'In Praise of Famous Men No More' juxtaposes Lincoln Memorial and Theodore Roosevelt equestrian statue.
- The Roosevelt statue at the American Museum of Natural History is slated for removal.
- Second phase 'Call and Response' in October 2020 features ten works from an open call.
- Third phase 'The Next Generation' involves Queens high school students.
- Public can participate on-site and online; a fanzine 'Monuments Decoder' is available online.
Entities
Artists
- Jeffrey Gibson
- Paul Ramírez Jonas
- Xaviera Simmons
- Nona Faustine
- Daniel Chester French
- Maurita Cardone
Institutions
- Socrates Sculpture Park
- American Museum of Natural History
- National Mall
- David Castillo Gallery
- Artribune
Locations
- New York City
- Queens
- United States
- Cahokia
- Mississippi Valley
- Ohio
- Washington D.C.