New Socrates Sculpture Park Exhibition Examines Role Of Monuments

ASTORIA, QUEENS — Socrates Sculpture Park has unveiled a new exhibition of monuments to the historical narratives of marginalized communities, as nationwide protests of racism draw attention to the question of who and what should be memorialized.

The three-phase exhibition, "Monuments Now," kicked off on July 24 with the official unveiling of artist Jeffrey Gibson's "Because Once You Enter My House, It Becomes Our House."

The monument is inspired by the Indigenous cultures of Mississippi and will be accompanied by a series of performances by Indigenous artists.

Videos of the performances will be available online.

The exhibition's first phase also includes "Eternal Flame," a monument by Paul Ramírez Jonas that honors the role of cuisine and cooking among immigrant communities, and a series of works by Xaviera Simmons addressing racial disenfranchisement and the racial caste system in the United States.

“As an urban park, venue for contemporary public art and a cultural anchor in Queens, Socrates is the ideal venue to present new artist-driven perspectives on monuments for a 21st-century America," John Hatfield, executive director of Socrates Sculpture Park, said.

Parts two and three of the exhibition, which go on display Oct. 10, will feature monuments selected from the park's open call for submissions, and a monument conceptualized by high school students participating in the park's "Socrateens" program.