MOCA's Geffen Contemporary Exhibition "Monuments" Challenges Traditional Notions of Memorialization
In a thought-provoking exhibition titled "Monuments," the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA in Los Angeles is pushing against the status quo by showcasing decommissioned Confederate monuments alongside innovative works by a diverse roster of artists. The show, which opened recently, offers a nuanced exploration of the issue, one that eschews the sensationalism and instant gratification often found in contemporary art.
The exhibition features 14 artists, including Kara Walker, whose "Unmanned Drone" (2023) serves as a striking example of the show's thesis. Walker's piece reimagines a decommissioned Confederate monument from Charlottesville, Virginia, merging it with its own steed to create an unsettling tableau. In an interview, Walker explained that her work is a form of "violent remix," one that subverts the very notion of the statue as a symbol of remembrance.
The artists in the exhibition take varying approaches to tackling this issue. Bethany Collins, for instance, has engraved the base of a Confederate monument with Carolina rose petals, referencing the flowers used by former slaves to commemorate their experiences. Meanwhile, Kevin Jerome Everson's film "Practice, Practice, Practice" (2024) offers a powerful portrait of activist Richard Bradley, who scaled a pole dressed as a Union soldier to tear down a Confederate flag in San Francisco.
Kahlil Robert Irving's "New Nation (States) Battle of Manassas – 2014" (2024-25) presents three bronze sculptures taken from thousands of images documenting areas where Black people have faced violence and led protests. The title is a nod to the killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri.
Throughout the exhibition, each artist offers innovative perspectives on the nature of memorial structures and their place in contemporary society. Rather than proposing grand, monolithic statues, these artists opt for more nuanced works that convey complex ideas with greater subtlety.
As the average news cycle continues to accelerate at breakneck speed, exhibitions like "Monuments" offer a respite from the immediacy of headlines. By taking time to develop and curate their shows, institutions can provide spaces for thoughtful exploration and reflection on pressing issues.
"Monuments" is on view at the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA through May 3, 2026.
In a thought-provoking exhibition titled "Monuments," the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA in Los Angeles is pushing against the status quo by showcasing decommissioned Confederate monuments alongside innovative works by a diverse roster of artists. The show, which opened recently, offers a nuanced exploration of the issue, one that eschews the sensationalism and instant gratification often found in contemporary art.
The exhibition features 14 artists, including Kara Walker, whose "Unmanned Drone" (2023) serves as a striking example of the show's thesis. Walker's piece reimagines a decommissioned Confederate monument from Charlottesville, Virginia, merging it with its own steed to create an unsettling tableau. In an interview, Walker explained that her work is a form of "violent remix," one that subverts the very notion of the statue as a symbol of remembrance.
The artists in the exhibition take varying approaches to tackling this issue. Bethany Collins, for instance, has engraved the base of a Confederate monument with Carolina rose petals, referencing the flowers used by former slaves to commemorate their experiences. Meanwhile, Kevin Jerome Everson's film "Practice, Practice, Practice" (2024) offers a powerful portrait of activist Richard Bradley, who scaled a pole dressed as a Union soldier to tear down a Confederate flag in San Francisco.
Kahlil Robert Irving's "New Nation (States) Battle of Manassas – 2014" (2024-25) presents three bronze sculptures taken from thousands of images documenting areas where Black people have faced violence and led protests. The title is a nod to the killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri.
Throughout the exhibition, each artist offers innovative perspectives on the nature of memorial structures and their place in contemporary society. Rather than proposing grand, monolithic statues, these artists opt for more nuanced works that convey complex ideas with greater subtlety.
As the average news cycle continues to accelerate at breakneck speed, exhibitions like "Monuments" offer a respite from the immediacy of headlines. By taking time to develop and curate their shows, institutions can provide spaces for thoughtful exploration and reflection on pressing issues.
"Monuments" is on view at the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA through May 3, 2026.
. I mean, I know we've gotta confront our history and all that, but these Confederate monuments are like a sore thumb 
. It's like they're still trying to tell us something important from back when slavery was still around 
. And now we got artists reimagining them in this exhibition...it's just wild 
. I like how Kara Walker is pushing the boundaries and making people think with her "violent remix" piece 
. But, at the end of the day, can't we just focus on moving forward? 
. We need to have these kinds of conversations about our history and how we choose to remember it, but we're usually stuck in this loop of instant gratification with social media. This show is all about slowing down and thinking critically about what monuments mean to us.
. I was wondering why they didn't just take the statues down already? Like, isn't that what everyone wants - for them to be gone? 
). But it's also about finding new ways to talk about these complex issues.
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they're not just tackling the confederate monument issue head on but also exploring what it means to be a memorial in modern times its like they're asking us if statues really have a right to exist anymore i mean kara walker's piece is insane btw who'da thought merging a statue with a drone would make a point lol 
but seriously, its kinda refreshing to see art that's not just about getting a reaction from people
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. We're so used to bein' spoon-fed info that we don't take the time to really think about it. This exhibition is like a breath of fresh air, makin' us slow down and consider the real impact these statues have on our community 
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And then again, maybe that's the point – to make us uncomfortable and forced to confront our history. IDK... it's all so confusing 
But Bethany Collins's idea of engraving Confederate monuments with rose petals seems kinda... watered down? Like, is that really gonna spark change or just be a bunch of white people feeling guilty for a hot sec? 
. But hey, at least he's trying, right? 
Artists like Kara Walker and Bethany Collins are using these monuments in creative ways that make us question their purpose. It's all about nuance and subtlety, you know? They're not trying to shock or provoke, but rather invite us to think critically about the way we remember and honor our history. That's what I love about this show - it's like a slow-burning fire that gets under your skin and makes you think. And as an institution, MOCA is doing its part by taking the time to develop this exhibition, creating a space for thoughtful exploration and reflection. It's not just about art, it's about conversation and community. 
! It's like she took all this complexity and emotional weight and condensed it into this one powerful piece.
. And you know what? I think that's exactly what we need right now: spaces for thoughtful reflection and exploration, not just quick takes or soundbites. So yeah, "Monuments" is a total triumph – don't miss it! 
just saw that the global ocean cleanup effort has failed miserably... they only managed to collect like 1% of the plastic waste in the past year 
and it's estimated that there are already more plastic particles in our oceans than there are stars in the Milky Way galaxy... what even is the point? 
. The whole exhibition feels like a much-needed conversation starter, you know? It's not about grand gestures or instant gratification, but about taking time to really think about our collective history and how we remember it 
I'm loving this new exhibit at MOCA! They're not just tearing down Confederate monuments, they're reimagining them in a way that's actually making you think 
. It's so refreshing to see artists taking the time to craft thought-provoking pieces instead of just jumping on the controversy bandwagon. I mean, Kara Walker's "Unmanned Drone" is giving me all the feels - it's like she's saying, 'Hey, we can't just leave these symbols of hate standing around, but we also can't just forget about them'