The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, The University of New Mexico, June 2020 Iconoclasm Questions of Veneration, Destruction and Power The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, July 2020 Part of the Current Issues in Anthropology Series
The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, The University of New Mexico, June 2020
Iconoclasm
QuestionsofVeneration,DestructionandPowerTheMaxwellMuseumofAnthropology,July2020PartoftheCurrentIssuesinAnthropologySeries
The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, The University of New Mexico, June 2020
Introduction
AstatueofEdwardColston,alate17thcenturyslavetrader,beingpushedintotheriverAvon,Bristol,UK,June7,2020.PhotoCredit:GiuliaSpadafora/NurPhotoviaGettyImages(Audioofcheeringcrowd)ThatwasthesoundofacheeringcrowdofprotestorsinBristol,intheUnitedKingdom,astheypulleddownthestatueofseventeenthcenturyslavetraderEdwardColston,onJune7th,2020.WelcometotheMaxwellMuseumofAnthropology’sexhibition,Iconoclasm:QuestionsofVeneration,DestructionandPowerAslongashumanshavecreatedsymbols,othershavesoughttodestroythem,creatingcyclesofvenerationanddestruction.Iconoclasm,thedestructionofsacredimagesorrepresentations,issorelevanttotheworkwedoinanthropologymuseums,wherealargepartofwhatwedoispreserveobjectsofculturalorideologicalsignificance.Thisexhibitioninvestigatescurrentdebatesabouticonoclasm.
The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, The University of New Mexico, June 2020
Introduction
ThedefacedstatueofConfederateGeneralRobertE.LeeonMonumentAvenue,Richmond,VA,June23,2020.Photocredit:MobilusinMobili,viaFlickr,CCAslongashumanshavecreatedsymbols,othershavesoughttodestroythem,creatingcyclesofvenerationanddestruction.Iconoclasm,thedestructionofsacredimagesorrepresentations,issorelevanttotheworkwedoinanthropologymuseums,wherealargepartofwhatwedoispreserveobjectsofculturalorideologicalsignificance.Thisexhibitioninvestigatescurrentdebatesabouticonoclasm.ThisintroductoryimageshowsthedefacedstatueofConfederateGeneralRobertE.LeeonMonumentAvenue,inRichmond,VirginiaonJune23,2020.ThestatuehasbeenafocalpointofprotestsoverthedeathofGeorgeFloyd,resultinginvandalismofthemonument.OnJune4th,VirginiaGovernorRalphNorthamorderedtheremovalofthestatue,butthatwasmetwithacourt-orderedtemporaryinjunctionhaltingthataction.Asofyet,theissueisunresolved.
The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, The University of New Mexico, June 2020
Introduction
AnimageofGeorgeFloydisprojectedonthebaseofthestatueofConfederateGeneralRobertE.LeeonMonumentAvenue,Monday,Richmond,VA,June8,2020.Photocredit:SteveHelber/AssociatedPressInthisimage,takenonJune8th,2020alikenessofGeorgeFloydandtheacronym“BLM”,isprojectedontothesamemonument,inalaserprojectionprojectcreatedbylightingdirectorDustinKleinforthatongoingprotest.Increasingly,laserprojectionsarebecomingaformofinterventionandtemporaryiconoclasticaction,orameanstorespondtoiconoclasmatsitesofprotestanddefacement.Theacronym“BLM”standsforBlackLivesMatter,whichisaglobalorganizationandmovementwhosemission,intheirownwords,istoeradicatewhitesupremacyandbuildlocalpowertointerveneinviolenceinflictedonBlackcommunitiesbythestateandvigilantes.
The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, The University of New Mexico, June 2020
Introduction
ProtestforGeorgeFloyd,thewidelyhatedstatueofformermayorFrankRizzocoveredingraffiti,Philadelphia,PA,May30,2020.PhotoCredit:JoePietteCCBY-SA2.0ThisexhibitionwasdisplayedintheMaxwellMuseumofAnthropologyin2018aspartofourCurrentIssuesinAnthropologyseries.WehavecreatedthisonlineversioninJulyof2020withtheongoingprotestsinresponsetothekillingofGeorgeFloydinmind.Weareinturbulenttimesandjoinyouinreflectingonthem.TheMaxwellMuseumalsojoinssomanyinexpressingouranguishandfrustrationsinthesetimesofunrestandaglobalpandemic.Someoftheimagesandtextinthisexhibitionhavebeenupdated.Inthisimage,takenMay30th,2020,duringaprotestforGeorgeFloyd,thewidelyhatedstatueofformerPhiladelphiamayorFrankRizzo,wascoveredingraffiti.Formany,Rizzo,alsooncePhiladelphiapolicecommissioner,wasasymbolofthebrutaltreatmentofBlackpeopleandotherminoritiesatthehandsofwhitepoliceofficers.ThestatuewasremovedbythecityonJune3rd,2020.
The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, The University of New Mexico, June 2020
Introduction
ThedefacedstatueofConfederateGeneralRobertE.LeeonMonumentAvenue,Richmond,VA,June23,2020,hasbeenaltereddramaticallybyartistsandprotesters.Photocredit:CarlosBernateforTheNewYorkTimesToprefacethisupdatedexhibition,considerthewordsofformerslaveandabolitionistFrederickDouglass,alikenessofwhomisseeninthisimagebeingprojectedonthesameGeneralRobertE.Leememorial.ThesewordsofDouglass’wereinvokedbySecretaryoftheSmithsonianLonnieBunchinastatementhemaderelatedtotheprotestsoverthedeathofGeorgeFloyd.Douglasssaid:“Thosewhoprofesstofavorfreedomandyetdepreciateagitation,arepeoplewhowantcropswithoutploughingtheground….Thestrugglemaybeamoralone,oritmaybeaphysicalone,oritmaybeboth.Butitmustbeastruggle.”
The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, The University of New Mexico, June 2020
Introduction
StillfromafilmrecordingofMarianAndersonsinginginfrontoftheLincolnMemorial,Washington,D.C.,April9,1939.Photocredit:TheRobertH.JacksonCenter.Beforeconsideringiconoclasmproper,thatis,thedestructionofvaluedorsacredculturalsitesandsymbols,itishelpfulfirsttoconsidersuchsites–suchasmonumentsandmemorialsthemselves-andask,whatpurposedotheyserve?Inthisimage,OperasingerMarianAndersonisseensinginginfrontoftheLincolnMemorialinWashington,D.C.,onApril9th,1939.Andersonperformedthisconcertinfrontof75,000people,aftertheDaughtersoftheAmericanRevolutionhadherbarredfromsinginginWashingtonD.C.'sConstitutionHallbecauseshewasBlack.TheLincolnMemorialwaschosenasthesiteforthisconcertbecauseofitssymbolicheft.
The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, The University of New Mexico, June 2020
Introduction
Rev.Dr.MartinLutherKingJr.delivershis‘IHaveaDream’speechattheMarchonWashington,LincolnMemorial,byBobAdleman,Washington,D.C.,August28,1963.Photocredit:TheLibraryofCongress.Inbroadterms,monuments,memorialsandsimilarmaterialexpressionsofstateorcommunityidentityaresiteswherecollectivememoryiscreatedandmarked.Inthisimage,theReverandDr.MartinLutherKingJr.deliversthe‘IHaveaDream’speechattheLincolnMemorialattheMarchonWashington,August28,1963.
The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, The University of New Mexico, June 2020
Introduction
DemonstratorsgatherattheLincolnMemorialduringaprotestagainstracialinequalityinWashington,D.C.,June6,2020.Photocredit:CarlosBarria/ReutersAnthropologicalstudiesofsuchsitesreflectthatthematerialityofmonumentscanelicitacollectivemodeofremembering,shapingourrecallofthepast,andcreatingsharedculturalmemoriesthatmayormaynotberelatedtothespecificfactsofpastevents,butregardless,canbepowerfulplacesofemotional,communalandcontestedexperience.Here,again,inthisimage,theLincolnMemorial,withdemonstratorsgatheringduringaprotestagainstracialinequalityonJune6,2020.
The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, The University of New Mexico, June 2020
Introduction
PresidentDonaldTrumpwithFoxNewsinterviewersattheLincolnMemorial,Washington,D.C.,May3,2020.Photocredit:AnnaMoneymakerforTheNewYorkTimesInsomeinstances,suchmemorializingsitesmayalsobeplaceswhereweareaskedtoforgetaswellastoremember,directingustoselectcertainversionsofhistoryandevents,whileobscuringothers.InthisfinalimageattheLincolnMemorial,PresidentDonaldTrumpisinterviewedbyFoxNewsanchors,onMay3rd,2020.Thoughmosteventshadbeenbannedatthememorialduetothecoronaviruspandemic,U.S.secretaryoftheinteriorDavidBernhardtgrantedanexceptionforthisevent.
The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, The University of New Mexico, June 2020
Iconoclasm
(Detail)KhludovPsalter,9thcentury.TheimagerepresentstheIconoclasttheologian,JohntheGrammarian,andaniconoclastbishopdestroyinganimageofChrist.ImageCredit:StateHistoricalMuseum,MoscowIconoclasmisthedestructionofsacredimagesorrepresentations.Originallyiconoclasmreferredtothedestructionofactualicons,asmajorreligiousleadersandtheirfollowerssoughttobanthevenerationofsacredimages(imagesrepresentingChristiansaints,theVirginMaryandChrist)duringByzantineandProtestantReformationeras.Hereweseeadetailfromthe9thcenturyKhludovPsalter,orBookofPsalms.TheimagerepresentstheIconoclasttheologian,JohntheGrammarian,andaniconoclastbishopdestroyinganimageofChrist.TheKhludovPsalteristheoldestofthreeremainingilluminatedByzantinePsalterstosurvivethe9thcentury,whenIconoclasm,intheoriginalsenseoftheword,wasatitsheight.
The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, The University of New Mexico, June 2020
Iconoclasm
(Detail)“PullingdownthestatueofGeorgeIIIbythe"SonsofFreedom,"attheBowlingGreen,CityofNewYork,July1776”.PaintedbyJohannesA.Oertel,engravedbyJohnC.McRae,ca.1875.ImageCredit:TheLibraryofCongressOvertimethetermhasexpandedtoincludethedestructionofsymbolsofcherishedbeliefs,people,orinstitutionssuchasmonuments,memorials,flagsandothersuchmaterialmanifestationsofculturalcapital.Inthisimage,anengravingfromabout1875,the“SonsofFreedom”,amixedgroupofciviliannewYorkersandGeorgeWashington’ssoldiers,stirredupbyapublicreadingoftheDeclarationofIndependence,pulldownthestatueoftheBritishMonarch,GeorgeIIIatBowlingGreen,intheCityofNewYork,inJulyof1776.Thestatue,reportedlymadeofsolidleadandgildedingold,wasmovedtoConnecticutandlaterusedtomakegunsandbullets.
The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, The University of New Mexico, June 2020
Iconoclasm
Oneofthe6th-7thcenturyBamiyanBuddhasofAfghanistan(Westniche),beforedestructionbytheTalibanin2001.PhotoCredit:AfghanistanEmbassyItwouldseem,aslongashumanshavecreatedsymbols,othershavesoughttodestroythem,creatingcyclesofvenerationanddestruction.Religiouszealotshavedestroyedthe“idols”requiredbyotherformsofworship,oreventheirownreligion’sicons.Inthisimage,oneofthetwo6thor7thcenturyBuddhaimagesinBamiyan,Afghanistan,beforetheirdestructionbytheTalibanin2001.TheBuddhas,consideredthelargestintheworldbeforetheirdestruction,werecarvedintoasideofacliff.ThemotivationbehindthedestructionwaspartoftheTaliban’sextremeiconoclasticcampaign,aswellastheirresentmentofWesterneffortsandresourcespouredintoprotectingthestatueswhiletherewas,atthesametime,alargehumanitariancrisisintheregionthatwaslargelybeingignored.
The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, The University of New Mexico, June 2020
Iconoclasm
A3DlightprojectionofhowadestroyedBuddha,knownasSolsoltolocals,mighthavelookedinitsprime,Bamiyan,Afghanistan,June7,2015.Photocredit:JimHuylebroekforTheNewYorkTimesInJuneof2015,twoChinesedocumentarians,JansonYuandLiyanHu,createdandprojected3DhologramsoftheBamiyanBuddhasintotheemptynicheswheretheyoncestood,asatemporaryre-creationandcounteractiontothedestructionofthestatues14yearsearlier.
The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, The University of New Mexico, June 2020
Iconoclasm
DiegoMuñozCamargo,“FriarsBurningtheClothes,Books,andAdornmentsofNativePriests,”DescripcióndelaciudadyprovinciadeTlaxcala,fol.242r,latesixteenthcentury.Photocredit:UniversityofGlasgowLibrary,SpecialCollections.Inotheractsoficonoclasmovertheages,colonizershavedestroyedthesacredsitesandotherrallyingpointsofpeoplestheysoughttoconquer.Inthisimagefromthe16thcenturybookbymestizohistorianofNewSpain,DiegoMuñozCamargo,CatholicfriarsareseendestroyingimagesofAztecdeitiesandreligiousparaphernalia.
The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, The University of New Mexico, June 2020
Iconoclasm
ThedamagedanddecapitatedheadofastatueofStalin,onGrandAvenue,Budapest,Hungary,October23,1956.Photocredit:RobertHofbauerCCAspoliticalregimesdefeatrivals,theyalsoremoveortransformthesymbolsthatrepresenttheformerorder.Erectingordestroyingmonumentsdoesn’tjustreflectauthoritybutisawaytopromoteorchangeit.Inthisimage,thedamagedanddecapitatedheadofastatueofStalin,onGrandAvenue,Budapest,sitsinthemiddleofthestreet.ThestatuewasdestroyedonOctober23rd,1956,byenragedanti-SovietcrowdsduringHungary’suprisingagainstSovietrule.
The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, The University of New Mexico, June 2020
Iconoclasm
AU.S.soldierwatchesasastatueoftheformerleaderofIraq,SaddamHussein,fallsincentralBaghdad'sFirdausSquare,Baghdad,Iraq,April2003.Photocredit:GoranTomasevic/ReutersInanotherimageAU.S.soldierwatchesasastatueoftheformerleaderofIraq,SaddamHussein,fallsincentralBaghdad'sFirdausSquare,April2003.ThestatuewaspulleddownbyAmericanMarinesasthewarinIraqwasjustgettingunderway.
The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, The University of New Mexico, June 2020
Iconoclasm
AdefacedimageofChinesePresidentXiJinpingisseeninHongKong,October2019.Photocredit:SamTsangInthisimage,acomplicatedhistoryofcolonizationmanifestsinactsofprotestandiconoclasminHongKong,whenamancontributestothedefacementofanimageofChinesePresidentXiJinpinginOctoberof2019.MuchpropertyhasbeendefacedordestroyedduringtheHongKonganti-governmentprotests,includingsitesreflectingChinesehistoryandgovernmentalties.Theprotests,whichareongoing,arearesponsetoHongKongtransitioningfromBritishtoChineseruleandexpressesthedesireofprotestorstoretaintheirindependence,inthisinstance,fromChina.
The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, The University of New Mexico, June 2020
Iconoclasm
TheheadofDagobertoGodoyhangsfromastatueoftheindigenousMapuchewarriorCaupolicánafterprotestersdecapitatedastatueoftheChileanairforcepilotinTemuco,Chile,November2019.PhotoCredit:PauloQuintana/AraucaniaInsomeinstances,bothintheUnitedStates,andaroundtheglobe,Indigenousand/ordisenfranchisedcommunities,groupsorindividualsaswellasthosethatsupportorsympathizewiththeirplight,haveinvertedthescriptonthecolonialnarrative,takingdownorvandalizingpublicworksthathonorcolonists,colonizationorotherodestoempire.Justonesuchexample,seeninthisimagefromNovember2019,isthedecapitationofastatueinTemuco,Chile,oftheChileanmilitaryaviatorDagobertoGodoy.HisheadwashungbyprotestorsfromthearmofastatueoftheMapuchewarriorCaupolicán–nowalsoholdingtheMapucheflag,orWenufoye.
The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, The University of New Mexico, June 2020
Iconoclasm
BreeNewsometakesdowntheConfederateflagfromapoleattheStatehouseinColumbia,SC,June27,2015.Photocredit:AdamAnderson/ReutersInanotherrelatedexample,onJune27,2015,tendaysafterawhitesupremacistwithanaffinityfortheConfederatebattleflag,killednineAfricanAmericanparishionersofEmanuelAfricanMethodistEpiscopalChurch,protesterBreeNewsomeclimbedthe30footflagpoleinfrontoftheStatehouseinColumbia,SouthCarolina,andpulleddowntheConfederateflag.
The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, The University of New Mexico, June 2020
Iconoclasm
Membersof theMississippiHonorGuard lower thestate flagat theStateCapitol,adayafterabillwassignedintolawthatwouldreplacethestateflagthatincludesaConfederateemblem,inJackson,Mississippi,July1,2020.Photocredit:ReutersAndnow,beginninginJuneof2020,manyorganizations,andlocalandstategovernmentshavebegunbanningthedisplayoftheConfederateflag,suchasseenhere,withtheretirementoftheMississippiStateflagonJuly2nd,2020.TheretiredflagwasthelastUSstatebannerfeaturingaConfederateemblem.
The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, The University of New Mexico, June 2020
Iconoclasm
TheremovalofthevandalizedstatueofKingLeopoldIIofBelgium,Ghent,Belgium,June30,2020.Photocredit:AFPviaGettyImages.Inthisimage,thebustofKingLeopoldIIofBelgiumwasremovedfromaparkinGhentonJune30,2020.Thatdatewasthe60thanniversaryoftheDemocraticRepublicofCongo’sindependencefromBelgium.ThepeopleoftheCongoinCentralAfricahadexperiencedunimaginablesufferingaftertheirlandwascolonizedbyKingLeopoldinthemid19thcentury.EstimatesofthenumberofCongolesekilledduringhis44-yearreignrangefromtwotofifteenmillion.Thebustwasremoved,safterbeingvandalizedbythoseopposedtohonoringthememoryoftheformerKingandcolonizer.
The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, The University of New Mexico, June 2020
Iconoclasm
TheactivistgroupCultureBeyondOilprotestinginfrontoftheHoa-Haka-Nana-IaintheLivingandDyinggalleryattheBritishMuseum,London,UK,July2010.PhotoCredit:Culture24Iconoclasmdeeplyinterestsanthropologymuseums,whichpreserveobjectsofculturalorideologicalsignificance.However,removingobjectsfromtheiroriginalcontextscanbepartofthedestructionofculturesandassertionsofpoliticalpower.Canthecollectionofobjectsfromotherculturesbeaformoficonoclasm?Itisnotjustthedisplayofimagesorobjectsofvenerationthatcorrelatetoquestionsofpower,butalsothecontextsinwhichtheyareaccumulatedanddisplayed.Inthisimage,theactivistgroupCultureBeyondOilprotestinfrontoftheHoa-Haka-Nana-IaintheLivingandDyinggalleryattheBritishMuseuminJulyof2010.ThisiconoclasticprotestwasinresponsetotheBritishMuseumacceptingsponsorshipmoneyfromBP,theBritishPetroleumcompany.
The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, The University of New Mexico, June 2020
Iconoclasm
WilliamDowningWebster,posingwithcarvedivorytuskstakenfromthecityofBenin,1890.PhotoCredit:TheBritishMuseumSo,forexample,inadditiontobeingritualobjects,worksofart,andhistoricaldocuments,BeninbronzeplaquesandcarvedivoriesalsoservetodocumenthistoricalinteractionsbetweentheBeninEmpireandEurope.Thosestories,however,maybefragmented,owingtothemannerinwhichtheplaquesandivorieswereremovedfromtheiroriginalcontext.HereyouseetheseobjectspicturedwithWilliamDowningWebster,oneofthemostfamousdealersofethnographicobjectsofthelate19thandearly20thcenturies.
The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, The University of New Mexico, June 2020
Iconoclasm
(Detail)BritishsoldiersposingwithworksofartoftheCityofBenin,SirHarryHoldsworthRawson,BeninCity,EdoState,Nigeria,1897.PhotoCredit:TheBritishMuseumItwasBritain’sso-calledPunitiveExpeditionof1897,whichdestroyedtheKingdom’scapital,BeninCity.Theaccompanyinglooting,whichcouldalsobeconsideredanactoficonoclasm,scatteredmanyoftheseplaquesandivoriesintonewnetworksofcirculation.Picturedhere,Britishsoldierssurroundedbylootedworksofart,fromthattime.
The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, The University of New Mexico, June 2020
Iconoclasm
Brass(copperalloy)plaque/waistpendant,pre-20thcentury,MaxwellMuseumofAnthropologycollection,MadebytheEdo(Bini)peopleoftheBeninKingdomofmodern-dayNigeria.Photocredit:TheMaxwellMuseumofAnthropologyThesenetworksofcirculationincludemuseumcollections,suchasthePittRiversMuseum,theBritishMuseumand,theMaxwellMuseumofAnthropology.ThedisplayofBeninplaquesorivoriesinWesternmuseumstellsadifferenthistoryoftheKingdomofBeninthantheroyalhistoryofitsObaorKing.Inthisimageapre-20thcenturyBrasswaistpendantplaque,fromthecollectionofthe,MaxwellMuseumofAnthropology.(thistexthasbeenadoptedfromtheMaxwellMuseumofAnthropology2015exhibitionSA’EY’AMA:ThePowerofBrassintheKingdomofBenin)
The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, The University of New Mexico, June 2020
Iconoclasm: The National Debate
AprotesterkicksthetoppledstatueofaConfederatesoldierafteritwaspulleddownattheoldDurhamCountyCourthouse,Durham,NC,August14,2017.Photocredit:CaseyTothfortheHeraldSunIntheUnitedStates,manycurrentdebatesofthelastfewyearsabouticonoclasmcenteronthememorialsofcolonists,particularpoliticalfiguresandConfederatesoldiers,whoseveneratedstatusisincreasinglyamatterofsometimes-violentdisagreement.Inthisimage,aprotesterkicksthetoppledstatueofaConfederatesoldierafteritwaspulleddownattheoldDurhamCountyCourthouse,August14,2017,inDurham,NorthCarolina.
The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, The University of New Mexico, June 2020
Iconoclasm: The National Debate
StatueofRobertE.LeebeingremovedfromUniversityofTexas,Austin,TX,August21,2017.PhotoCredit:EricGay/AssociatedPressInanotherexamplefrom2017,onAugust21stofthatyear,attheUniversityofTexas,Austin,statuesoftwoConfederategenerals,RobertE.Lee,picturedhere,andAlbertSidneyJohnston,andtheConfederatecabinetmemberJohnReagan,wereremoved.ThiswasfollowingtheremovalofastatueofJeffersonDavisin2015.Theseexamplesillustratethatbeginninginthetwentyteens,therewasanuptickinpublicinterestinthehistoriesandappropriatenessofvariousmonumentsandmemorialshonoringtheConfederacyoftheU.S.CivilWar,withaparticularjumpininterestandattendanticonoclasmbeginninginAugust2017.
The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, The University of New Mexico, June 2020
Iconoclasm: The National Debate
Torch-bearingwhitenationalistsgatheraroundthebaseofastatueduringademonstration,Charlottesville,VA,August11,2017.PhotoCredit:EduBayerfortheNewYorkTimesIn2017,Charlottesville,Virginiabecametheepicenterofthenationaldebateonrace.OnAugust11,2017,whitenationalistsdescendedonCharlottesville,andontheUniversityofVirginiacampusfora“UnitetheRight”rallyprotestingtheplantoremoveastatueofConfederateGeneralRobertE.Lee.Duringtheviolencethaterupted,counter-protesterHeatherHeyerwaskilled.Inthisimage,torch-bearingwhitenationalistsgatheraroundthebaseofastatueduringademonstrationinCharlottesville,VirginiaonAugust11,2017.ThestatuetheyaregatheredaroundisofThomasJeffersonnotthestatueofRobertE.Leeproposedforremoval.Thegroupofwhitenationalistsgatheredtheretosurroundasmallgroupofcounterprotestorswhopositionedthemselvesatthebaseofthatstatue.
The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, The University of New Mexico, June 2020
Iconoclasm: The National Debate
MembersoftheAtlantadelegationoftheUnitedDaughtersoftheConfederacy,byHollandStudio,Albany,GA,1930.Photocredit:TheLibraryofCongress.TheconfrontationwascoveredwidelyonnationalnewsandinspiredfurtheractsofvandalismandiconoclasmfocusedonmonumentsthatnominallyhonortheConfederacy.OpponentsofthemonumentspointtothefactthatmostwereerectedtolegitimizecontinuedwhitedominanceofSouthernsociety.Indeed,RobertE.Leehimself,thelosinggeneraloftheCivilWar,haddenouncedtheconstructionofmonuments,writingin1869,inresponsetoaproposaltobuildamonumentatGettysburg,hesaid:
The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, The University of New Mexico, June 2020
“Ithinkitwiser,moreover,nottokeepopenthesoresofwarbuttofollowtheexamplesofthosenationswhoendeavoredtoobliteratethemarksofcivilstrife,tocommittooblivionthefeelingsengendered.”TheerectionofthemajorityofConfederatemonumentsfuelingconflicttodayoccurredintheearlytomid20thcentury,organizedandfundedbyvariousindividualsandgroupssympathetictotheConfederatecause,theUnitedDaughtersoftheConfederacy,orUDC,anorganizationofSouthernwhitewomenfoundedinNashvillein1894,chiefamongthem.Inthisimage,membersoftheAtlantadelegationoftheUDC,attheirconventioninAlbany,Georgia,in1930.Theyposeinfrontofamarblesculpturededicatedto“OurConfederateDead”,thatwaserectedindowntownAlbanyin1901.Thestatuestillstands,residingintheprivately-ownedConfederateMemorialPark.
The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, The University of New Mexico, June 2020
Iconoclasm: The National Debate
JeffersonDavisMonument,JeffersonDavisMemorialPark,byCarlMydans,Irwinville,GA,June3,1936.PhotoCredit:TheLibraryofCongress.Atitsfounding,theUDChad30members.Itgrewtoabout100,000womenbythenineteenteens,withthegoalto,accordingtoKarenCox,professorofhistoryattheUniversityofNorthCarolinaatCharlotte,“…preserveandperpetuatethemythsthattheConfederatecausewasajustandhonorableoneandthatstates’rights,notslavery,wasitscalltoarms.”Inthisimage,amonumenttoJeffersonDavis-presidentoftheConfederateStatesfrom1861–1865,markingthespotwhereDaviswascapturedbyUnionsoldiersonMay10,1865.ThemonumentwaserectedbytheOcilla,GeorgiachapteroftheUnitedDaughtersoftheConfederacy,onJune3,1936,almostseventyyearsaftertheendoftheCivilWar.ThememorialstillstandsinIrwinville,Georgiatoday.
The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, The University of New Mexico, June 2020
Iconoclasm: The National Debate
AvandalizedstatueofChristopherColumbusinCentralPark,NewYorkCity,NY,October3,2017.PhotoCredit:ChristenCliffordMorerecently,protestsagainstColumbusDayhavebeenaccompaniedbyactsoficonoclasmaimedatrepresentationsofChristopherColumbus.ManyopponentsofColumbusDaybelievethatitshouldbereplacedwithIndigenousPeoplesDay,torecognizetheviolenceinflictedontheoriginalinhabitantsoftheAmericasbyColumbusandlatercolonizers.Inthisimage,astatueofChristopherColumbusinCentralParkwasvandalizedonOctober3,2017.Oneofmanythathavebeenvandalizedorremovedintheinterveningyears.
The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, The University of New Mexico, June 2020
Iconoclasm: The National Debate
AstatueofChristopherColumbus,torndownattheMinnesotaStateCapitol,SaintPaul,MN,June10,2020.PhotoCredit:TonyWebsterviaFlickr,CCVeryrecently,withthecivilunrestsparkedbytheGeorgeFloydprotests,manymemorialsintheUnitedStates–thoseofgovernmentofficialsandpoliticalorhistoricalfigureswithcontentioushistories,Confederatesoldiers,andcolonizers—havebeguntoberemovedbystateandlocalofficials,ordefaced,pulleddown,ordestroyedbyprotestors.ThisstatueofColumbusattheMinnesotaStateCapitolwaspulleddownbyprotestorsonJune10,2020.
The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, The University of New Mexico, June 2020
Iconoclasm: The National Debate
ThevandalizedTheodoreRooseveltstatueoutsidetheAmericanMuseumofNaturalHistory,NewYorkCity,NY,October26,2017.PhotoCredit:JeenahMoonfortheNewYorkTimesAsalreadymentioned,museumsarenotsparedsuchresponses,inrelationtothecollectionstheyhold,thefundingtheyreceive,andthememorialsthatareoftenpartoftheirarchitectureandsettings.OnOctober26th,2017,anorganizationcallingthemselves“TheMonumentRemovalBrigade”splashedaredpaintonastatueofTheodoreRoosevelt,infrontoftheAmericanMuseumofNaturalHistoryinNewYork.Apublishedstatementreleasedbythegroupontheinternetcalledfortheremovalofthestatueasanemblemof“patriarchy,whitesupremacyandsettler-colonialism,”astheyaskedthemuseumto“rethinkitsculturalhallsregardingthecolonialmentalitybehindthem.”
The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, The University of New Mexico, June 2020
Iconoclasm: The National Debate
PartofanexhibitionattheAmericanMuseumofNaturalHistory,“AddressingtheStatue,”NewYorkCity,NY,July15,2019.PhotoCredit:MaryInheaKangforTheNewYorkTimesAlthoughthemuseumopenedanexhibitionentitled“AddressingtheStatue”,agraphicfromtheexhibitionpicturedhere,thataskedthepublictoweighinonthecontroversyovertheRooseveltsculpture,manyfeltthatwasnotenough,andonJune21,2020,aftermanyyearsofcontroversy,themuseumannouncedtheremovalofthesculpturethatmanyhaveargueddepictsBlackandIndigenouspeopleassubjugatedandraciallyinferior.
The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, The University of New Mexico, June 2020
Iconoclasm: Regional Debate in New Mexico
Themanwho20yearsago,saidhecutofftherightfootoftheDonJuandeOñatestatueinAlcalde,NM,September2017.Photocredit:AdriaMalcolmforTheNewYorkTimesOnSeptember30,2017,thefrontpageoftheNewYorkTimeshighlightedthesagaofthestatueofSpanishcolonizerJuandeOñateerectedin1993inAlcalde,NewMexico.InJanuary1998thestatue’srightfootwasremoved.Theactrecalledthe1598battlebetweenOñate’sSpanishforcesandthevillageofAcoma.Afterwinningthebattle,OñateseverelypunishedthepeopleofAcoma.ManyAcomamenovertheageoftwenty-fivehadonefootcutoffandthenwereforcedintotwentyyearsofpenalservitude.This2017imageshowsthemanwhosaidthat20yearspriorhehadcutofftherightfootoftheDonJuandeOñatestatueinAlcalde,NewMexico.
The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, The University of New Mexico, June 2020
Iconoclasm: Regional Debate in New Mexico
AredtingeremainsfromvandalismtothebootoftheDonJuandeOñateequestrianstatueinAcalde,NM,September2017.PhotoCredit:EddieMoorefortheAlbuquerqueJournalTheindividualswhoanonymouslyremovedthefootfromthestatuesentphotographsofitandthefollowingstatementtolocalnewspapers:
“WeinviteyoutovisittheOñateDistortionMuseumandVisitorCenter.LocatedeightmilesnorthofEspañola.WetookthelibertyofremovingOñate'srightfootonbehalfofourbrothersandsistersofAcomaPueblo.”
Thepeoplewhooriginallycommissionedthestatuesubsequentlyhadanewfootmade.In2017,thestatuewasonceagainvandalized,when,asseenintheimagehere,therightfootofOñatewaspaintedredinadvanceofaprotestheldinSantaFeonSeptember8thofthesameyear.Theprotest,organizedbyNativeAmericanactivists,disruptedthe“Entrada,”theannualreenactmentofthe1692returnoftheSpanishtoNewMexicoafterthePueblorevoltof1680.
The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, The University of New Mexico, June 2020
Iconoclasm: Regional Debate in New Mexico
Indigenousactivistsattheendofananti-racistrallyheldontheSantaFePlaza,SantaFe,NM,August14,2017.PhotoCredit:AaronCantúfortheSantaFeReporterOtherNewMexicanactsoficonoclasmhavefocusedonpublicmonumentsandtraditions,particularlyinthestatecapitolofSantaFe.Onesuchevent,picturedhere,occurredontheSantaFePlaza,onAugust14th,2017,ledbyagroupofIndigenousactivistsparticipatinginananti-racistrally.Asthecrowdfortherallythinned,asmallgroupofactiviststooktothestagewhileotherspositionedthemselvesinfrontofthemonumentpicturedhere.Theybeganchanting,"TheEntradaisracist,"areferencetotheEntradadeDonDiegodeVargas(whichcelebratesSpanishcolonists'returntoSantaFein1692).Whenthemonument,anobelisk,waserectedin1868,thephrase“TotheheroeswhohavefalleninvariousbattleswithsavageIndiansintheTerritoryofNewMexico”wasinscribedonitsmarblebase.In1974,anindividualillegallychiseledouttheword“Savage.”Thewordwasneverrestored.In2019theEntradawasabolished.
The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, The University of New Mexico, June 2020
Iconoclasm: Regional Debate in New Mexico, Epilogue and Prologue
SculptureofJuandeOñatebeingremoved‘temporarily’,Alcalde,NM,June15,2020.PhotoCredit:EddieMoorefortheAlbuquerqueJournalInrecentturnsofevents,aspicturedhere,onJune15th,2020,RioArribaCountyremovedthesculptureofDonJuandeOñate,notinresponsetoprotests,butrathertoprotectitfromprotestors,whowerescheduledtoprotestitsremovallaterthatday–theprotestdidgoforward,thefateofthesculptureremainsaquestion.
The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, The University of New Mexico, June 2020
Iconoclasm: Regional Debate in New Mexico, Epilogue and Prologue
ProtestorsattachachaintothestatueofJuandeOñateinAlbuquerque,NM,June15,2020.PhotoCredit:AnthonyJacksonfortheAlbuquerqueJournalviaAPOnthesameday,June15th,2020,aUniversityofNewMexicoStudentwasshotandseriouslywoundedinAlbuquerque,whenhewaspeacefullyprotestinginsupportoftheremovalofthemonumentcalled“LaJornada”,whichfeaturesseveralsculptedimagesincludingJuandeOñateleadingoxendrawncartsandfamiliesinvolvedintheSpanishcolonizationofthesouthwestin1598.Themonument,picturedherebeingpreparedtobepulleddownbyprotesters,waslocatedonthepropertyoftheAlbuquerqueMuseum,inTiguexPark.AlbuquerqueMayorTimKellerhadthemonumentremoved,stating“theCitywillberemovingthestatueuntilcivicinstitutionscandeterminenextsteps.”Policetookintocustodyseveralmembersofaright-wingmilitiagroup“TheNewMexicoCivilGuard”andaone-timeAlbuquerqueCityCouncilcandidatewaschargedrelatedtotheshooting.
The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, The University of New Mexico, June 2020
Iconoclasm: Regional Debate in New Mexico, Epilogue and Prologue
AvandalizedobeliskinfrontoftheU.S.CourthouseinSantaFehonoringfrontiersmanKitCarson,SantaFe,NM,June17,2020.Photocredit:T.S.LastfortheAlbuquerqueJournalOnJune18ththeMayorofSantaFe,AlanWebber,signedaproclamationannouncingtheremovalofthreecontroversialmonumentsrelatedtoNewMexico’shistoryofcolonizationbyfirst,theSpanish,andlatertheUnitedStates.Theseinclude:astatueofDonDiegodeVargas,anobeliskcommemoratingthelifeofKitCarson;andanotherobeliskhonoringU.S.UnionsoldiersoftheCivilWar.Thisproclamationinturnsparkedcounterprotests,thoughtheproclamationcurrentlystands.Inthisimage,theobeliskinfrontoftheU.S.CourthouseinSantaFehonoringfrontiersmanKitCarson,havingbeenvandalizedwiththewords“StolenLand”,onJune17,2020.Theobeliskshapeasmemorialitselfisinteresting–anEgyptianshape,takentoEuropefirstbytheRomansinthefirstcenturyCEasawaytoexpressandassertRomanpower,later,inthe18thand19thcenturies,beingadaptedasasymbolofimperialismandempirebyNapoleon,QueenVictoria,famedAmericanbusinessmanWilliamH.Vanderbilt,andtheUnitedStatesGovernment.
The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, The University of New Mexico, June 2020
Iconoclasm: Regional Debate in New Mexico, Epilogue and Prologue
Stillfrom“Fukc”videobyNavajoartistWillWilson,SantaFe,NM,2012.Photocredit:WillWilsonEightyearsearlier,NavajoartistWillWilsoncreatedavideowiththemonument,astillfromwhichisseenhere,asaninterventiononthemonument.Andnotunliketheprojectionsonmonumentsseenatthebeginningofthisexhibition,hisworkservesasanactofvirtualandephemeraliconoclasm.
The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, The University of New Mexico, June 2020
Iconoclasm: Regional Debate at UNM
NickEstesleadsagroupofprotestersburningcopiesofUNM'sofficialseal,Albuquerque,NM,April29,2016.PhotoCredit:MarlaBrosefortheAlbuquerqueJournalInAlbuquerque,hometotheUniversityofNewMexicocampus,similarprotestsandactsoficonoclasmhavetakenplace.Beginningin2015,afterstudentandlocalprotests,thecityofAlbuquerquenowrecognizesIndigenousPeoplesDay.Andin2019,afteryearsofprotestandvariousactsoficonoclasm,theUniversityofNewMexicohasstoppedusingasealthatcelebratesSpanishandAnglocolonistswhileignoringNativeAmericans.InthisimagefromApril29th,2016,NickEstesinthecenterofthephotograph,leadsagroupofprotestersburningcopiesofUNM'sofficialseal.EstesisaformerUniversityofNewMexicostudentactivistandnowaUNMassistantprofessor,andoneofthefoundersoftheRedNation,acoalitionofNativeandnon-Nativeactivists,educators,students,andcommunityorganizersadvocatingNativeliberation,basedinAlbuquerque,NewMexico.
The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, The University of New Mexico, June 2020
Iconoclasm: Update
BallerinasKennedyGeorge,14,andAvaHolloway,14,poseinfrontofamonumentofConfederategeneralRobertE.Lee,Richmond,Virginia,June5,2020.PhotoCredit:JuliaRendleman/ReutersGeorgeFloyd,a46yearoldAfricanAmerican,waskilledonMay25,2020.HediedwithhishandshandcuffedbehindhimwhilewhiteMinneapolispoliceofficerDerekChauven,kneltonhisneckfornearlynineminutes.Inthedaysandweeksthathavefollowed,numerousandongoingprotestshavebeentakingplaceintheUnitedStatesandaroundtheglobe:overhisdeath,overpolicebrutality,andoverthehistoryofracism.ThisimageexemplifiesactsoficonoclasmtakingplaceaspartoftheprotestssurroundingthemurderofGeorgeFloyd.OnJune5th,2020,14yearoldballerinasKennedyGeorge,andAvaHolloway,poseinfrontofthemonumentofConfederategeneralRobertE.LeeinRichmond,Virginia,amemorialalreadymuchaddressedinthisexhibition.
The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, The University of New Mexico, June 2020
Iconoclasm: Update
FranColes,BristolCityCouncilConservationManager,worksonpreservingthegraffitionthedefacedstatueofLate17thcenturyslavetraderEdwardColston,Bristol,UK,June17,2020.PhotoCredit:JohnKent/BristolLiveIncreasingly,asinpreviousexamples,whenofficialshavebeenunwillingorslowtoact,protestorshavebeentakingmattersintotheirownhands.OnJune7th,2020,astatueofEdwardColston,alate17thcenturyslavetrader,wastoppledbyprotestersandpushedintotheriverAvon,inBristol,intheUnitedKingdom.InthisimageFranColes,BristolCityCouncilConservationManager,worksonpreservingthegraffitionthedefacedstatue,whichwillbedisplayedinamuseuminBristol,accompaniedbythestoryofhowthestatuewasbotherected,andtoppled.However,eventhosewhoagreewithremovingstatuarythathonorsthosewhorepresentoppressiveorracistviewsandactions,havearguedthatsuchactionsruntheriskofremovingremindersofatroubledhistorythatwewoulddowelltoremember.
The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, The University of New Mexico, June 2020
Iconoclasm: Update
AstereoviewoftheEmancipationMemorialinLincolnParkbyJ.J.Jarvis,1880s.PhotoCredit:StreetsofWashington,viaFlickr,CCOnesuchcontestedcallforremovalinvolvesthecontroversialEmancipationMemorialinLincolnParkinWashington,D.C.,seeninthisphotographfromthe1880s,someyearsafteritwaserected.ThememorialdepictsafreedslavekneelingatthefeetofPresidentAbrahamLincoln.Racialjusticeprotesterswantthemonumentremovedsayingtheimagery,thatofafreedslavecrouchingatLincoln’sfeet,isoffensive,despitethefactthatthememorialwascommissionedandpaidforbyBlackpeopleaftertheCivilWar.Atthesametime,themanwhowasthemodelforthefigureoftheslave,ArcherAlexander,whowasbornaslaveinVirginiain1813,escapedtofreedomdecadesbeforeposingforthememorial,soinfact,wasnotfreedbyLincoln.
The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, The University of New Mexico, June 2020
Iconoclasm: Update
TheEmancipationMemorialinLincolnPark,depictingafreedslavekneelingatthefeetofPresidentAbrahamLincoln,Washington,D.C.,June25,2020.Photocredit:J.ScottApplewhite/AssociatedPressSeenhereisacontemporaryphotographofthememorial,whichwasunveiledinAprilof1876.Atthattime,theabolitionistFrederickDouglasswrotealettertothenewspaperTheNewRepublic,voicinghisdiscontentwiththestatue,saying“TheNegrohere,thoughrising,isstillonhiskneesandnude.WhatIwanttoseebeforeIdieisamonumentrepresentingtheNegro,notcouchantonhiskneeslikea4-footedanimal,buterectonhisfeetlikeaman.There’sroominLincolnParkforanothermonumentandIthrowoutthissuggestiontotheendthatitmaybetakenupandactedupon.”ThesewordswrittenbyDouglasswereonlyrecentlyrediscoveredbyhistorianScottSandageofCarnegieMellonUniversity.Sandagehasbeenadvocatingfortheremovalofthestatue,thoughotherhistoriansargueforitspreservation
The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, The University of New Mexico, June 2020
Iconoclasm: Epilogue and Prologue
“RumorsofWar”,byKehindeWiley,ontemporarydisplayinTimesSquare,NewYorkCity,NY,September2019.PhotoCredit:MyModernMetContemporaryartistshavebeenissuingresponsestothemorerecentvocaloutcryabouttroublesomemonumentstoo.OnesuchresponsecomesfromAmericanartistKehindeWiley,inwhichheacknowledgesthetroubledpastwhileintroducinganewicon,inhisequestrianstatue“RumorsofWar”,seenhereontemporarydisplayinTimesSquare,NewYorkCity,inSeptemberof2019.ThesculpturedepictsanAfricanAmericanmanindreadlocks,ahoodie,rippedjeansandNikehigh-tops,buttakestheformoftheheroicequestrianstatuesofConfederategeneralsofMonumentAvenueinRichmond,Virginia.
The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, The University of New Mexico, June 2020
Iconoclasm: Epilogue and Prologue
“ShadowontheLand,anExcavationandBushBurial”byTlingitandUnangax̂artistYéilYa-TseenNicholasGalanin,March2020.Photocredit:RhettWyman/SHM,courtesyNicholasGalaninAnotherexampleseenherecomesfromTlingitandUnangax̂artistYéilYa-TseenNicholasGalanin,withhiscontributiontothe2020BiennaleofSydney,inHydePark,ShadowontheLand,anExcavationandBushBurial.TheworkisagravethathasbeendugforthewidelyreviledstatuethatiserectedthereofCaptainJamesCook,the18th-centuryBritishRoyalNavycaptainwholandedinwhatisnowAustralia.Inturbulenttimesofrapidlychangingpublicopinionandpolitics,itremainstobeseenwhatprevioussymbolsendureoraresubjectedtoactsoficonoclasm,andwhatnewiconsaregivenpublicspace.
The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, The University of New Mexico, June 2020
Acknowledgments
Anaerialviewof“BLACKLIVESMATTER"paintedinroughly50-foot-wideyellowlettersonasectionof16thStreetthatsitsjustinfrontofLafayettePark,Washington,D.C.,June5,2020.PhotoCredit:UnknownInthisfinalimage,wecirclebacktowherewebegan,withtheprotestsoverthekillingofGeorgeFloyd.MurielBowser,theMayorofWashingtonD.C.,renamedastreetneartheWhiteHouse"BlackLivesMatterPlaza",andhadmuralistspaint"BLACKLIVESMATTER"inroughly50-foot-wideyellowlettersonasectionof16thStreetthatsitsjustinfrontofLafayettePark,June5,2020,alteringtheareaconceptuallyandliterally,whichsomehaveconsideredadefacementandothershavecelebrated.LafayettePark,sitsdirectlyacrossfromtheWhiteHouse,namedforaFrenchherooftheAmericanRevolution,theMarquisdeLaFayette.Thepark,sometimesreferredtoas“thepeople’spark”wascreatedbyThomasJefferson,andisiconicbothforitslocation,andforthecelebrationsandprotestsithashostedoverthecenturies.Numerousothercitieshavefollowedsuitwithpainting“BlackLivesMatters”ontheirownprominentstreetsindowntowndistricts.MaxwellExhibitionTeam:DevorahRomanek CuratorofExhibits
The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, The University of New Mexico, June 2020
DavePhillips InterimDirector(Retired)CarlaSinopoli DirectorGabrielRaab-Faber GraphicDesignerSpecialThanksTo:SteveHelberJoePietteCarlosBernateBobAdlemanCarlosBarriaAnnaMoneymakerJimHuylebroekRobertHofbauerGoranTomasevicSamTsangAdamAndersonCarlosUgarteCaseyTothEduBayerChristenCliffordToneyWebsterJeenahMoonMaryInheaKangAdriaMalcolmEddieMooreAaronCantúAnthonyJacksonT.S.LastWillWislonMarlaBroseJuliaRendlemanEricGayGiuliaSpadaforaJ.ScottApplewhiteYéilYa-TseenNicholasGalaninRhettWyman/SHMJohnKent/BristolLiveMobilusinMobiliNurPhotoPauloQuintana/AraucaniaTheRobertH.JacksonCenterTheLibraryofCongress
The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, The University of New Mexico, June 2020
MoscowStateHistoricalMuseumTheEmbassyofAfghanistanUniversityofGlasgowLibrary,SpecialCollectionsStudioIncendoCulture24TheBritishMuseumMyModernMetTheNewYorkTimesTheSantaFeReporterTheAlbuquerqueJournalTheHeraldSunTheRedNationStreetsofWashingtonReutersTheAssociatedPressGettyImagesMyModernMetAudioClip:https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/video/2020/jun/07/cheers-as-bristol-protesters-pull-down-statue-of-17th-century-slave-trader-video