A large monument of Confederate General Robert E. Lee that incited riots in Charlottesville, Virginia, has been melted down and displayed as art in Los Angeles. The exhibit, opening on October 23 at the Museum of Contemporary Art, features 18 decommissioned Confederate statues alongside contemporary artworks that challenge the legacy of these figures. Curator Hamza Walker highlights that Lee and other Confederate generals fought for slavery and white supremacy, opposing the narrative promoted by some, including President Donald Trump, who advocates reinstallation of these statues. The transformation includes melted bronze from the Lee statue and a recreated Stonewall Jackson statue by artist Kara Walker depicting a ghostly, headless figure as a critique of white supremacy mythology. The original monument removals followed tragic events such as the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, where violent clashes erupted over the statues. Activists say dismantling these statues is crucial for public health and combating the glorification of a racist past. Most statues will be returned to their communities after the exhibit, with some pieces being repurposed to continue this artistic and political dialogue.
Original title: These confederate statues caused nationwide protests. Melted down, they’re now art pieces
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