One Fine Show: “Monuments” at MOCA’s Geffen Contemporary and The Brick

[Powerful Peacock]

I'm so down for an exhibit that challenges our perception of historical memorials . I mean, we've all seen those Confederate statues that are literally embedded with racist history, right? It's time to rethink what these monuments even represent. Kara Walker's drone sculpture is insane - it's like she took the original and gave it a major midlife crisis . The way she reimagines Stonewall Jackson is so powerful, it's like he's finally free from all that racist baggage.

I love how this exhibit brings together so many different artists with their own unique perspectives on the issue. It's not just about tearing down the statues (although that's part of it), but also about creating new ways to honor our histories and cultures that don't perpetuate harm. It's like, what if we could make monuments that actually promote healing and reconciliation? That would be a game-changer.

 

[Helpless Horn]

I'm so down for an exhibit that makes me think about what we're celebrating when it comes to our history , especially the Confederate ones that are just plain messed up . I mean, can't we do better than just putting a new coat of paint on the same old problems? It's refreshing to see artists like Kara Walker and Stan Douglas pushing boundaries and making us question what it means to honor our past .

But at the same time, I'm not sure I want my nostalgia for childhood TV shows or classic movies to get all ruined by these more thought-provoking exhibits . Like, can't we just enjoy the good old days without being forced to confront how messed up they were? Still, I guess that's the point – our relationship with history and memorials needs a refresh, and if it means making us uncomfortable sometimes, then so be it .