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  • 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

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