Konstantinos Manesiotis - Monuments

When a monument is placed in any public space, it calls distinct attention to itself. It loudly displays its characteristics and message over the masses. Whenever I see a monument for the first time, I am encapsulated by it. I have this burning need to figure out the reason it is there. I always have that Descartian style of thinking that requires me to know the the causes behind the monument. For instance, if we are talking about statues, especially of people, (which constitute two of the three monuments we looked at) they usually tower over their observers. With features that are somewhat exaggerated. This may be because of my working out obsession, but I don't get why almost every man, in every sculpture you will ever see, no matter his body fat percentage; has an extremely defined, strong and chiseled jaw. These types of exaggerations are what make statues seem more epic. I can see that in Kehinde Wiley's, Times Square statue. Besides that superfluous thread of humor, I really enjoyed this monument; specifically because of the location in which it is going to be put. A man wearing modern day street wear, while on a horse, with that piercing look in his eyes, has such artistic depth to it. Going along with the fact that it will be placed in Richmond, the capital of the South during the civil war. I would like to focus on this particular monument of the three. I believe the artist cultivated a great work to go into a city with so much historical significance. I can picture this modern day African-American, riding on his horse through Richmond, in a triumph. A symbol of triumph over the past; without forgetting that the fight for equality is a never ending fight. Just to think that if the South won the Civil War; who knows if we'd be able to create artwork that displays African-Americans in a positive light. Out of the Wiley's sculpture, I see the need to recognize that there are oppressed peoples everywhere we go. We have to realize that reality, and own up to it. This statue needs to be alongside all the other statues of Richmond, Virginia. We cannot try and deny the fact that slavery existed, and that the Confederate States had their own values and idols. These statues that represent Confederate leaders can be seen as offensive. However, they are a rich reminder to us of our history; and the barbaric capacity of human behavior. I am a believer in Thomas Hobbes' concepts laid out in the Leviathan. I don't think human beings are naturally good; we need to use our rationality, and sense of community to keep each other safe from one another - and ourselves. That is why I believe it is an extremely important and powerful message to have Rumors of War displayed in Richmond; right there with all the statues of Robert E. Lee, Thomas 'Stonewall' Jackson and many others. It is a rightful and engaging reminder to see the evolution from barbaric beginnings, to the "more egalitarian" culture we see today.