Statues are not simply bodies in bronze, and monuments are not mere stone pillars, randomly fixed to the ground. They instruct. They lay claim. They hold up the stories of some, bury the stories of others, and too often broadcast incomplete accounts of our past.

Now, a global reckoning with the power and influence of memorials and commemorative spaces has taken on greater urgency. How might we reinterpret and rebuild public tributes for a more just future? How may we envision a different kind of monument, transform the way our histories are told in public spaces, and ensure that future generations inherit a commemorative landscape that honors the vast, rich complexity of the human story?

We’re honored to have three brilliant artists and thought leaders with us to discuss, featuring Ken Lum, Senior Curatorial Advisor at Monument Lab and Chair of Fine Arts at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Design in Philadelphia.

Please join us Friday, May 21st at 6pm ET via Zoom for this timely and essential conversation.