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Introduction to Monuments

A monument is a statue, building or other structure erected to commemorate a famous or notable person, event or ideal.

In this unit, we will learn about the concept and controversy of monuments. We will explore cardboard building techniques, develop ideas through sketching and create our own monuments.

Let’s begin by looking closely at two �very different monuments.

Theodore Roosevelt Statue, James Earl Fraser, 1940, �New York City

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Close Looking: National September 11 Memorial “Reflecting Absence”

The National September 11 Memorial, Reflecting Absence, Michael Arad

(on cover)

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Close Looking: National September 11 Memorial “Reflecting Absence” 2

The National September 11 Memorial, Reflecting Absence is a memorial for the 2,977 people killed in the terror attacks of September 11, 2001 and in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. The architect, Michael Arad, turned the footprints of the original World Trade Center towers into two square, below-ground reflecting pools, each nearly an acre, fed from all sides by waterfalls that begin just above ground level and bordered by continuous bronze panels inscribed with the names of the victims of the attacks.

What words would you use to describe this monument?
How does this monument relate to its surroundings?
What does the phrase “Reflecting Absence” mean to you? �In what ways does this memorial reflect absence?

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Close Looking: Theodore Roosevelt Statue

Theodore �Roosevelt Statue, James Earl Fraser, 1940, New York City

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Close Looking: Theodore Roosevelt Statue

What stands out to you in this monument of Theodore Roosevelt?

What do you notice about the three figures? What is the same and what is different?
This monument stands in front of the American Museum of Natural History. It was meant to celebrate Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th president of the United States.

What do you think the artist wanted to convey about Roosevelt?

What do you see that makes you say that?

Many people have fought for the removal of this monument, arguing that the depictions of the African and Native American figures, and their placement in relation to Roosevelt, are racist. How would you change this monument to tell a different story?
After a long debate, the monument will finally be removed. �What kind of a monument would you like to see in its place?

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Comparing Monuments

What do you notice �about the forms of these two monuments? How are they different?

How does the form of each monument help to communicate the idea behind it?

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Exploring Cardboard

In this lesson, you will explore transforming cardboard to create meaning.

You will need:

Corrugated cardboard

Smooth cardboard

Scissors

A marker or pencil

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Deconstructing and Transforming Cardboard

Now it’s time to experiment with your materials. Try cutting, ripping, folding, crumbling, scoring, rolling and weaving the cardboard.

Deconstruct the cardboard and separate the layers.

Cut strips of different sizes and test their stability.

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Deconstructing and Crumbling

Deconstructing

Crumpling

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Folding and Rolling

Folding

Rolling

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Scoring Cardboard

Scoring: scratching lines into cardboard to aid in folding or rolling it.

Scoring

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Cardboard Attachment Methods

How can you attach your pieces without using glue?

Keep all of your experiments and label them.

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Expressing Ideas with Cardboard

What words come to mind when you think of monuments?

Here are a few ideas:

Strength Justice Oppression

Fragility Equality Recognition

Heroism Hope Visible/Invisible

How could you express some of these �big ideas through manipulating cardboard?

For example, how could you change the cardboard to show fragility? How could �you show strength?

Experiment with manipulating the materials to express different ideas.

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Reflection

What ideas did you express by changing the cardboard?

What techniques did you use to express those ideas?

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Resources:

Learn more about the monuments in this lesson:

National September 11 Memorial “Reflecting Absence,” Michael Arad and Peter Walker, New York, NY:

About the 9/11 Memorial

American Museum of Natural History addresses their Theodore Roosevelt statue and �the request for its removal:

Addressing the Statue: Special Exhibit | AMNH

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Remote Arts Learning Partnership

Module Two �

Studio in a School NYC Team

Julie Applebaum, Senior Director

Remote Arts Learning Partnership Project DIrector

Writing Team Project Team

Anne-Marie McIntyre Josef Zutelgte Belinda Blum Nicola Giardina Paul Urevitch

Jamie Powell Andrea Burgay Katherine Huala

Graphic Design

Don Giordano

NYC Department of Education OASP Team

Karen Rosner, Director of Visual Arts

Amber Lodman, Arts Program Manager Kaitlin Trammell, Remote Arts Learning Partnership Project Coordinator

NYC Department of Education Visual Arts Teacher Team

Maria Bonilla Susan Bricker Amie Robinson Lara Tyson

These educational materials were created through a partnership with Studio in a School NYC and The New York City Department of Education Office of Arts and Special Projects (OASP) and made possible by the generosity of The New York Community Trust.