MOCA's Geffen Contemporary has just opened a thought-provoking exhibition titled "Monuments," which juxtaposes decommissioned Confederate monuments with newly commissioned works by a diverse group of artists. The show takes an in-depth look at the complexities surrounding these structures, and how they reflect and influence our society.
Kara Walker's contribution, "Unmanned Drone" (2023), stands out as a powerful statement against the Confederate ideology. Constructed from a former equestrian sculpture dedicated to Stonewall Jackson in 1921, Walker's piece blurs the lines between history and identity, merging Jackson with his steed Little Sorrel to highlight the dehumanizing nature of these monuments.
Bethany Collins' addition is equally striking, featuring engraved Carolina rose petals on the Jackson plinth. These subtle gestures hold significant meaning, referencing the flowers used by former slaves to memorialize Union soldiers during the first Memorial Day in 1865. The works collectively demonstrate a nuanced understanding of the role monuments play in shaping our collective memory and perpetuating systems of oppression.
Artists like Kevin Jerome Everson, Karon Davis, Stan Douglas, and Julie Dash take innovative approaches to tackling the concept of memorial structures, offering more than just grand gestures. Instead, they focus on storytelling through mediums such as film and performance art, providing a richer understanding of these monuments' impact on marginalized communities.
While the exhibition is timely, it also stands as an example of how important conversations about social justice can be explored in depth without being tied to current headlines. As such, "Monuments" serves as a testament to the enduring power of artistic expression in shaping our understanding of the world and sparking meaningful discussions about our shared history.
The exhibition remains on view at MOCA's Geffen Contemporary through May 3, 2026, offering an unforgettable experience for visitors looking to engage with these important issues.
Kara Walker's contribution, "Unmanned Drone" (2023), stands out as a powerful statement against the Confederate ideology. Constructed from a former equestrian sculpture dedicated to Stonewall Jackson in 1921, Walker's piece blurs the lines between history and identity, merging Jackson with his steed Little Sorrel to highlight the dehumanizing nature of these monuments.
Bethany Collins' addition is equally striking, featuring engraved Carolina rose petals on the Jackson plinth. These subtle gestures hold significant meaning, referencing the flowers used by former slaves to memorialize Union soldiers during the first Memorial Day in 1865. The works collectively demonstrate a nuanced understanding of the role monuments play in shaping our collective memory and perpetuating systems of oppression.
Artists like Kevin Jerome Everson, Karon Davis, Stan Douglas, and Julie Dash take innovative approaches to tackling the concept of memorial structures, offering more than just grand gestures. Instead, they focus on storytelling through mediums such as film and performance art, providing a richer understanding of these monuments' impact on marginalized communities.
While the exhibition is timely, it also stands as an example of how important conversations about social justice can be explored in depth without being tied to current headlines. As such, "Monuments" serves as a testament to the enduring power of artistic expression in shaping our understanding of the world and sparking meaningful discussions about our shared history.
The exhibition remains on view at MOCA's Geffen Contemporary through May 3, 2026, offering an unforgettable experience for visitors looking to engage with these important issues.
! These artists are killing it by taking down the Confederate monuments and making statements through art, like Kara Walker's "Unmanned Drone" which is literally so powerful 
. And I love how Bethany Collins' addition highlights the subtle gestures that can hold so much meaning, referencing those Carolina rose petals that were used during Memorial Day in 1865 
. It's crazy to think about how these monuments have been a part of our history for so long and how they've shaped our collective memory 
! This exhibit is a must-see, trust me 
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. I mean, who knew there was so much more to those Confederate monuments than just being ugly statues? 
They're like a time capsule of our history, but also a reflection of the problems we still face today.
. And Bethany Collins' addition with them engraved Carolina rose petals is so beautiful, but also super poignant 
. It's like, these monuments might be old, but the conversations they spark are totally relevant today 
. Definitely check it out before it closes! 
gotta respect the artist for taking apart that outdated statue and giving it new meaning. collins' petals are so subtle but powerful too, kinda feels like a middle finger without being too on the nose 
these artists are doing some real heavy lifting here, no wonder they're getting all this attention 
gotta go see this exhibit ASAP 
The fact that Kara Walker's piece is literally made from a statue of a historical figure who was all about oppression just feels like too much. And don't even get me started on the engraved rose petals... it's like she's trying to make some kind of grand statement, but really it's just a subtle gesture that falls flat for me. I want to see some real action and change, not just a bunch of art pieces with a message 
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. I mean, can you believe they're just taking old Confederate monuments and turning them into something new? Like, what's next? 
. But seriously, it's kinda cool how the artists are using these things as a way to talk about our history and stuff. Kara Walker's piece is straight fire 
Or is it just another way for people to pretend to care about social justice before they take a selfie in front of it? 
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The exhibition "Monuments" is a powerful reminder that art has the ability to challenge our perspectives and spark meaningful conversations. By exploring the complexities of Confederate monuments, we are forced to confront our own biases and think critically about how they shape our collective memory.
The way Kara Walker's piece blends history and identity is mind-blowin', and I love how the artists are usin' their talents to tell stories about marginalized communities in ways that go beyond just grand gestures. 
It's like, we gotta keep havin' these conversations about social justice 'cause they're so important! 
What do you think about this exhibit? Would you check it out? 
. It's so inspiring to see how art can spark meaningful conversations about our shared history 
. Can't we just have a respectful conversation without having to sift through all the off-topic comments and unnecessary opinions? It's like, I get it, people have strong feelings about this exhibition, but can't we just focus on discussing the art itself instead of trying to one-up each other with our personal anecdotes? The thread is already 500+ comments deep and it's still getting more noise 
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. And Bethany Collins' addition was like a gentle whisper, highlighting the subtle ways we can subvert these symbols of oppression. I love how the artists aren't afraid to get weird with their mediums too... Kevin Jerome Everson's film work is next level 
. Anyway, if you haven't checked it out yet, DO