Thirteenth International Conference on The Constructed Environment

Abstract

In answering the question, “How does society move towards reconciliation within a previously constructed environment?” one compelling answer may be “by adding color to the canvas plain.” In analyzing the neoclassical architecture dominant of the buildings surrounding the Smithsonian on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., very few statues of nonwhite individuals can be seen. Many early city planners thought that not only white people as subjects were best suited for eternal, public remembrance, but also, that the statues themselves should be white. Thus, many metropolitan museums favored this approach that privileged ancient sculpture. Yet, the original Greco-Roman statues that early American sculptors imitated were indeed full of color as many were painted. The exclusion and marginalization of certain social groups or individuals from public monument spaces merits reinterpretation especially in light of technology that allows us to reimagine how colorful our cityscapes could truly become. This paper builds upon the concept that statues are by artful design, discursive constructs that keep alive ongoing historical debates. It also seeks to be in conversation with prior research establishing statues as expressive, informative historical markers. Given the involved and intricate history of race relations in the U.S., it is revealing to analyze statues adorning our museum hallways as political tools evidencing and legitimating equitable presence; technology can assist us in reconsidering what our shared heritage should truly look like.