Addressing the Statue - Museums, Monuments, & Race

Explore the complex issues surrounding public monuments and racial injustice in this 55-minute SXSW 2021 conference talk. Delve into the American Museum of Natural History's approach to addressing the controversial Theodore Roosevelt statue, using it as a case study to examine broader questions about cultural representation in public spaces. Learn about the museum's multifaceted response, including conversations, film, and exhibitions, and how these strategies can be applied to reevaluating monuments across the United States. Gain insights into the challenges of decolonizing museums, confronting problematic representations, and the ongoing debate about erasing or recontextualizing history. Examine the intersection of power, privilege, and public art, and consider the future of cultural institutions in addressing these sensitive issues.