Post Postmonument. Crisi e persistenza del monumento nell’età della demonumentalizzazione
Fabio Cavallucci
The article reflects on monuments in the context of historical and political changes. The starting point is his Sculpture Biennale called Postmonument, held in Carrara in 2010, which explored the decline of monumentality in the post-communist era and the rise of global consumerism. The author discusses the challenges faced in presenting controversial artworks, citing examples such as Maurizio Cattelan’s proposal to replace a Giuseppe Mazzini monument with one dedicated to Bettino Craxi. The article then delves into contemporary controversies surrounding monuments, particularly in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement and the decolonization process in the art world. The narrative highlights how artistically or politically driven monuments can spark debates, face censorship, or even be dismantled due to changing societal perspectives. Artists engaging with the monument crisis during times of protest and political correctness explore creative solutions. Some propose visual transformations of contested monuments, like Banksy’s intervention depicting protesters pulling down a monument. Artist Ohad Meromi attempts preservation through a working group, The Subcommittee for American Monuments, suggesting reinterpretations to avoid removal. The text also reflects on the limited female representation in monuments, emphasizing the need to reinvent the concept of a female monument in a more participatory and relational manner