Monuments & Public History Institute

In Memoriam: Monuments Past, Present, Fallen and Future is a theory and practice course that examines monuments through a contemporary framework. Students will begin their research with tours of monuments and public art in Washington DC and meet with curators from leading museums to discuss existing works. Further research will explore organizations like Monument Lab and All Monuments Must Fall that research national monuments or archive the numerous monuments that have been removed in recent history. Finally, students will meet with local contemporary artists that engage in public art and social practice to formulate ideas about future monuments. Daily discussions and group critiques will allow students to voice and assess different points of view in constructive and meaningful ways.Topics will include how the workings of power, privilege, and inequity have shaped the monument landscape and influenced contemporary artists to challenge social norms. Out of this research students will work in groups to develop proposals, renderings and models for a future monument or memorial that considers accessibility, equity and longevity. The course will culminate in a public presentation of student proposals and renderings.