National Trust For Historic Preservation on Confederate Memorials

[maillemaker]

It usually takes time for public statues to become art

They were art from day one.

I'm not one of these people who think that any slosh of paint on a canvas is art, either. My metric for art is, "If anyone can do it, it's not art."

But you look at any lifelike sculpture of a human being - that's art.

Now that monstrosity of Forrest on I-65...maybe that ain't art.

Steve

[NMVolunteer]

"I shall not today attempt further to define the kinds of material I understand to be embraced within that shorthand description, and perhaps I could never succeed in intelligibly doing so. But I know it when I see it..."

EDIT:
Which is why I work at a history museum, not an art museum.

[dlindow13]

In my town, there has been a statue "Dedicated to our Confederate Heroes" on the courthouse lawn since the 1890's. It was erected with funds from the UDC, and the dedication was attended by some of the surviving Confederate veterans of the town. Being in Kentucky, it was a town that was split. Many fought for both sides. I wish there was also a monument/memorial for the Union soldiers as well, especially since there were many regiments raised here, including USCT regiments. Since August, there has been a petition to have it removed, with the opportunity to address the county fiscal court and county commissioners. People that wished to have it removed, respectfully voiced their opinion, as did those who wished to keep it. At the end of the meeting, the speakers from both sides shook hands and hugged. I think this whole topic would be much easier if everyone had this sort of attitude. Just respect the people talking without being crazy.

[Rob Weaver]

I think your suggestion of adding to helps to tell the story much better than taking away would.