In an era where public spaces are rapidly becoming ground zero for cultural reckoning, Boston's Mayor Michelle Wu, in partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Arts & Culture (MOAC), has revitalized the Un-monument | Re-monument | De-monument initiative. Aiming to wrestle with the narratives of the past, this project invites artists and creatives to propose new takes on public monuments. They now have a shot at securing grants up to $100,000 to erect temporary art installations that stir public discourse and challenge historical norms. The open call for submissions spans from November 13, 2024, through January 13, 2025, as reported by Boston.gov. Mayor Wu heralds this as an opportunity for artists "to experiment with new ideas, revisit old traditions, and imagine ways to expand and diversify our cultural approach to memory, monuments, and storytelling."
The backing for this audacious artistic endeavor comes from the deep pockets of the Mellon Foundation's Monuments Project—doling out a hefty $3 million grant that boosts Boston's commitment to reimagining public art. It's a slice of a much larger pie, with the Monuments Project carving a $500 million budget to refashion the nation's commemorative landscape. Through this funding, Boston is able to continue to be a part of this transformative national conversation about monuments and their meanings. The Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture has their work cut out for them, managing community collaborations and more through 2025 as the city, alongside the nation, wades into the historical waters of the 250th anniversary of the nation.
The city has charted two paths for would-be monument re-imaginers. First, artists nationwide are invited to submit proposals for temporary monuments across any Boston neighborhood, particularly those that spotlight untold stories and histories. Secondly, a Projection Mapping workshop, following the first round's foray into Augmented Reality, facilitates engagement with existing statuary in non-invasive, contemporary ways. Emerson Contemporary takes the lead on this initiative, providing artists with the tools to breathe new life into old figures—literally casting them in a different light.
Yet, MOAC isn't putting all its eggs in the flashy New Media basket. Their approach to this program extends in tendrils through the cultural fabric of the city—engaging cultural partners and initiating public dialogue. They've assembled a roster of collaborators, including heavy-hitters like The Boston Public Art Triennial, to ensure that the project includes multiple curatorial voices and perspectives. Moreover, resources are tapped into The Boston Art Review, enabling writers to also throw their hats into the critical ring of monument analysis and appreciation.
Last summer, the first round of Un-monument underscored Boston’s relevance in the national debate, with over 30 projects receiving funding and the Hutchins Center for African & African American Research hosting a series of public conversations at The Embrace. These talks, said to feature eminent speakers like MacArthur ‘Genius’ Imani Perry, created a forum for ideas about democracy and justice to flourish and will continue through the following summer. It seems MOAC is intent on keeping the conversation about which stories are cast in bronze and carved in stone ongoing for as long as there are voices willing to be heard.
