Monumental Cares: Sites of History and Contemporary Art

Monumental Cares explores how artists address monumental issues such as war, migration, and the climate crisis through a multidirectional theory of site, creating a new ethics of care in public art. It asks what to do with monuments, particularly when they are the products of terror, and can art address the monumental concerns of our present.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 31 January 2023
Publisher: Manchester University Press

Monumental Cares: Rethinking Monument Debates, Site Specificity, and Art Activism in the Face of Overwhelming Challenges

Monumental Cares is a groundbreaking book that delves into the realm of monument debates, site specificity, and art activism, offering a fresh perspective on these critical issues. In light of the monumental challenges that we face today, such as war, migration, and the climate crisis, the book seeks to reimagine how artists address these pressing concerns. Spanning across various cities, including Chicago, Berlin, Oslo, Bucharest, and Hong Kong, Monumental Cares showcases the diverse range of artistic approaches employed by artists to convey their messages and engage with their audiences.

The book employs a multidirectional theory of site that recognizes the significance of specific places while also acknowledging the broader perspectives of far-away audiences. This approach allows for a nuanced understanding of how monuments are perceived and interpreted, fostering a new ethics of care in public art. By combining a deep engagement with reality reminiscent of the realist aesthetics of the nineteenth century, Monumental Cares offers a passionate exploration of the monumental concerns of our present.

One of the central questions that the book addresses is the role of monuments, particularly those that are the products of terror or require removal, modification, or recontextualization. Monumental Cares provides thought-provoking insights into these complex dilemmas, offering practical solutions and strategies for dealing with monuments that evoke painful memories or perpetuate harmful ideologies. The book encourages artists to challenge the status quo and explore new ways of engaging with monuments, fostering dialogue, empathy, and understanding.

Furthermore, Monumental Cares raises important questions about the ability of art to address the monumental concerns of our present. The book showcases a diverse range of artistic expressions, including marble and glass sculptures, postcards, graffiti, and re-enactments, that challenge traditional notions of monumentality and engage with the complexities of our contemporary world. Through these diverse mediums, artists offer a powerful commentary on social, political, and environmental issues, inspiring audiences to reflect on their roles in addressing these pressing concerns.

In conclusion, Monumental Cares is a groundbreaking book that offers a fresh perspective on monument debates, site specificity, and art activism. Through its multidirectional theory of site, passionate engagement with reality, and exploration of the monumental concerns of our present, the book encourages artists and audiences to reimagine the role of monuments in our society. By fostering dialogue, empathy, and understanding, Monumental Cares contributes to a more inclusive and compassionate world, where art plays a vital role in shaping our collective memory and understanding of the world around us.

Weight: 628g
Dimension: 241 x 165 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781526168085