Fountain of the Pioneers (public art): Difference between revisions
(Created page with "{{Display censorship incident |ongoing=no |year=2018 |region=North America |artist=Alfonso Iannelli, |subject=Political/Economic/Social Opinion, Violence |confronting_bodies=K...") |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 4: | Line 4: | ||
|region=North America | |region=North America | ||
|artist=Alfonso Iannelli, | |artist=Alfonso Iannelli, | ||
|subject=Political/Economic/Social Opinion | |subject=Political/Economic/Social Opinion | ||
|confronting_bodies=Kalamazoo City Commission and protestors | |confronting_bodies=Kalamazoo City Commission and protestors | ||
|medium=Public Art | |medium=Public Art | ||
|date_of_action=March-April 2018 | |date_of_action=March-April 2018 | ||
|location=Bronson Park, Kalamazoo, Michigan | |location=Bronson Park, Kalamazoo, Michigan | ||
|description_of_content=''Fountain of the Pioneers'' is | |description_of_content=''Fountain of the Pioneers'' is an Art Deco-style monument designed by the Italian-American Modernist artist and designer Alfonso Iannelli in Kalamazoo in the late 1930s. The sculpture incorporates a reflecting pool and the figure of a “Pioneer” face-to-face with an “Indian". Art historians claim that the artwork represents Native American resistance to westward expansion | ||
In 2016, it was listed as a nationally significant work in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). | In 2016, it was listed as a nationally significant work in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). | ||
|description_of_incident=At a meeting of the City Commission in October 2017, a group of protestors argued that the artwork is an expression of white supremacist hate and oppression, despite the anti-westward expansion message of Iannelli’s work. The historic expulsion of indigenous peoples from Kalamazoo also incited objections to the monument. On March 6, the Kalamazoo City Commission voted 5-1 to remove ''Fountain of the Pioneers''. | |description_of_incident=At a meeting of the City Commission in October 2017, a group of protestors argued that the artwork is an expression of white supremacist hate and oppression, despite the anti-westward expansion message of Iannelli’s work. The historic expulsion of indigenous peoples from Kalamazoo also incited objections to the monument. On March 6, the Kalamazoo City Commission voted 5-1 to remove ''Fountain of the Pioneers''. | ||
NCAC opposed the swiftness of Kalamazoo’s decision | NCAC opposed the swiftness of Kalamazoo’s decision as well as their hasty emotional response to complaints. The organization asserted that such works of art should not be confused with those that were historically intended to send a clear racist message such as Confederate monuments. They advised the City Commission through a letter to carefully consider the factors involved in the creation, installation and retention of a piece of public art. | ||
|description_of_result=The City Commission chose to follow through with their decision and work to remove the fountain began in April 2018. | |description_of_result=The City Commission chose to follow through with their decision and work to remove the fountain began in April 2018. | ||
|image=Fountain.jpg | |image=Fountain.jpg | ||
Revision as of 16:49, 7 August 2018
Artist: Alfonso Iannelli
Year: 2018
Date of Action: March-April 2018
Region: North America
Location: Bronson Park, Kalamazoo, Michigan
Subject: Political/Economic/Social Opinion
Medium: Public Art
Confronting Bodies: Kalamazoo City Commission and protestors
Description of Artwork: Fountain of the Pioneers is an Art Deco-style monument designed by the Italian-American Modernist artist and designer Alfonso Iannelli in Kalamazoo in the late 1930s. The sculpture incorporates a reflecting pool and the figure of a “Pioneer” face-to-face with an “Indian". Art historians claim that the artwork represents Native American resistance to westward expansion
In 2016, it was listed as a nationally significant work in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).
The Incident: At a meeting of the City Commission in October 2017, a group of protestors argued that the artwork is an expression of white supremacist hate and oppression, despite the anti-westward expansion message of Iannelli’s work. The historic expulsion of indigenous peoples from Kalamazoo also incited objections to the monument. On March 6, the Kalamazoo City Commission voted 5-1 to remove Fountain of the Pioneers.
NCAC opposed the swiftness of Kalamazoo’s decision as well as their hasty emotional response to complaints. The organization asserted that such works of art should not be confused with those that were historically intended to send a clear racist message such as Confederate monuments. They advised the City Commission through a letter to carefully consider the factors involved in the creation, installation and retention of a piece of public art.
Results of Incident: The City Commission chose to follow through with their decision and work to remove the fountain began in April 2018.
Source:
NCAC Opposes Michigan City’s Decision to Demolish Public Artwork, NCAC, March 15, 2018.
Work to remove Fountain of the Pioneers starts this week, Kalamazoo News, April 24, 2018.
