Breathtaking, unsettling, healing: how US artist Kara Walker transformed a Confederate monument

The Monuments exhibit features 68 decommissioned Confederate monuments from across the US, including two from Charlottesville, Virginia: Robert E. Lee and Thomas J. Jackson statues. The Lee statue was transformed into Kara Walker's Unmanned Drone sculpture by breaking it into pieces and reassembling them in a way that defies its original intention.

The transformation of the statue was done to address concerns about the perpetuation of white supremacy and the glorification of Confederate leaders, who were instrumental in the creation and enforcement of slavery in the US. Walker's Unmanned Drone sculpture is meant to challenge and subvert the traditional view of these statues as symbols of Southern heritage and identity.

The Jackson statue was also transformed by breaking it into pieces and reassembling them in a way that "wholly defies the original intention of the object," according to art historian Andrea Douglas. The final form of the sculpture is much simpler than the early drawings, with a single bristling form that wholly defies the original intention of the object.

The Monuments exhibit aims to spark conversations about the role of Confederate monuments in American society and how they can be reinterpreted and recontextualized as art.

can't help but think about how our perception of history changes with each new generation... these monuments were meant to celebrate white supremacy, now we're seeing them torn down & reimagined as a commentary on the harm they caused i'm not sure if it's progress or just a reflection of how much we've learned from our mistakes, but whatever it is, i think it's about time we shifted the narrative to something more inclusive & respectful

I think it's super interesting that these Confederate monuments are being transformed into sculptures that actually challenge our views on them . Like, we all know that Robert E. Lee and Thomas J. Jackson were huge supporters of slavery and white supremacy, so why should their statues be celebrated as symbols of Southern heritage? It's time for us to acknowledge the painful history behind these monuments and reframe them in a way that promotes healing and understanding.

I love how Kara Walker's Unmanned Drone sculpture takes the original statue apart and puts it back together in a completely new way, kind of like deconstructing our own biases and assumptions about these historical figures . And I'm also intrigued by the idea that Andrea Douglas says Jackson's sculpture defies its original intention - it's like we're being forced to see these statues for what they really are: symbols of hate and oppression.

The Monuments exhibit is such a powerful way to spark conversations about our collective history and how we can use art to challenge our perspectives . It's not just about taking down the statues themselves, but about using them as a starting point for discussions about justice, equality, and what it means to be American .

I love how Kara Walker's Unmanned Drone sculpture is just, like, totally redefining what we thought was cool about Robert E. Lee ... meanwhile I'm over here thinking that if the original statue had been a drone all along it would've been way more efficient to just add some drones to the existing one instead of taking it apart and reassembling it like a puzzle piece

I'm so down for this! They're literally taking these statues that represent some super dark period in US history and turning them into something new and thought-provoking . I mean, who wouldn't want to challenge the traditional view of statues like those two from Charlottesville? It's about time we start having real conversations about how our history is represented and what it means to us today . And can we talk about Kara Walker's art for a sec? The woman is a genius! Her drone sculpture is so cool, it's like she took the original intention of the statue and threw it out the window . I love that she's giving people a new perspective on these statues and making us think about what they really represent

omg u guys i cant even handle how epic this is!! like, Kara Walker's Unmanned Drone sculpture is literally genius!! i mean, who needs that statue anymore lol?? breaking it into pieces was the best decision ever !! now we can finally see the true face of robert e. lee... or should i say, his oppressive and racist legacy ?? its so cool to see art being used as a form of social commentary, like, it's not just about the aesthetics, but also about challenging our perspectives and making us uncomfortable

i love how these statues are getting recontextualized, it's like they're getting a new lease on life .. or should i say, a new "death" lol!! this exhibit is literally a game-changer, its gonna make people talk and think about the role of confederate monuments in our society... we need more of this kind of art and activism !!

I'm so glad to see these statues being transformed into something new, it's like a fresh start for the community... especially for the people who were hurt by the original intention behind those statues. It's not about erasing history but about giving people a different perspective on things that are really painful and hard to look at. I think this exhibition is such a great way to spark conversations and help people see that even something as old as a statue can be reimagined in a new light

I mean, what's up with these statues, right? They're like symbols of our dark past, you know? The US is all about freedom and equality, but there's this huge part of the history that's just been ignored or downplayed... it's messed up. Breaking them apart and changing their form is a bold move, imo. It's not just about destroying something, it's about reimagining what we want to remember and celebrate.

I think it's cool that Kara Walker is using her art to challenge our perceptions of these statues and the people they represent... it's like, we need to confront the truth about our history, you feel? And I love how the Jackson statue was transformed into this simple, powerful form – it's like, less is more, sometimes.

The Monuments exhibit is a great way to spark conversations about all this stuff... it's not just about Confederate monuments; it's about how we choose to remember and celebrate our past. Do we want to hold onto these symbols of white supremacy, or do we want to create new narratives that reflect our values?

can you imagine walking into a museum and seeing your grandma's old doll with a gun slapped on its face lol what's next, turning the Statue of Liberty into a meme but seriously tho, this exhibit is actually kinda genius i mean, it's not just about tearing down these statues, it's about giving them a new life, like kara walker did with the lee statue - breaking them down to rebuild them into something that makes you think and who knows, maybe we'll learn more about our history from art than from boring old textbooks

can you imagine seeing these massive statues just lying around like they're nothing anymore? it's wild that Kara Walker was able to turn the Lee statue into a drone sculpture... it's like, totally subverts what we think those statues represent.

i'm all for sparking conversations about this stuff. i mean, some people might get upset, but isn't that kinda the point? we need to challenge our assumptions and think about why these statues were put up in the first place.

it's also dope that Walker was able to recontextualize her own art work like that... breaking it down into pieces and turning them into something new is a pretty powerful message.

anyway, i'm curious to see how people react to this exhibit. will they be all like "oh, cool, art" or will they get really upset? either way, i think it's gonna be interesting to watch unfold

just saw this news about the Monuments exhibit what's up with these old statues anyway? i mean, robert e lee was all about slavery and stuff so why we still got his face around? Kara walker's unmanned drone sculpture is pretty cool tho it's like she took something that was meant to be all proud and white and turned it into somethin' new. i'm lowkey impressed. maybe this exhibit will help us see these statues in a different light

OMG I'm so done with these statues they're like a painful reminder of America's dark past! The woman who did this Kara Walker is a total genius I mean, taking apart those symbols of white supremacy and turning them into something new and thought-provoking is pure genius! And can we talk about how much of an insult it was to the city of Charlottesville that they even had these statues in the first place? I know some people are gonna try to say that it's all about history and preserving our heritage, but let's be real, that just gives a free pass for racism and oppression. This exhibit is like a breath of fresh air, reminding us that even the most painful memories can be used to fuel positive change

oh man I think its so cool how Kara Walker used her art to challenge those statues like who needs that kinda history being celebrated anyway? we gotta learn from the past but not romanticize it, you know? the fact that they broke them down into pieces and reassembled them all new is genius art should be about making us think and feel something, right?

omg this is such an amazing project!! i love how kara walker's installation completely flips the script on those statues that were meant to celebrate slavery & white supremacy, instead making them a commentary on racism . it's like, finally someone is giving us a different perspective on these monuments that have been hiding in plain sight for so long. can't wait to see more exhibits like this one, they're like, totally changing the conversation around art, history & social justice

I think this is such an amazing way to challenge our collective memory and perception . I mean, we've been so conditioned to view these statues as nostalgic symbols of Southern heritage and identity, but the truth is, they're these incredibly problematic representations of white supremacy and slavery. By transforming them into art that subverts their original intention, artists like Kara Walker are forcing us to confront this dark history in a whole new way .

It's also really interesting to see how the Jackson statue has been broken down into this more abstract, simpler form – it's almost as if we're being asked to question what we consider 'art' or 'heritage' in the first place . And I think that's exactly what the Monuments exhibit is trying to do: spark conversations about how our cultural narratives can be reinterpreted and recontextualized.

For me, it's all about recognizing the power of art to challenge and subvert our assumptions – especially when it comes to these really fraught histories .

lol what even is a "Southern heritage" anymore? like, I get that history is important but come on... those guys were straight up bad people

I mean, the artists are doing this whole Kara Walker thing which sounds super cool and all but its more than just a pretty picture right? its about challenging our views of history and power structures what do you guys think about these sculptures tho?

I'm seeing some crazy stuff happening with these Confederate monuments ! I mean, I get it, they're still a huge part of the US history, but come on, let's not romanticize slavery and white supremacy, you know? Breaking them down and reassembling them like that is like a sick form of social justice art . I'm loving Kara Walker's Unmanned Drone sculpture - it's like she's saying, "Hey, we gotta tell a different story here." And I'm curious to see how this exhibit sparks conversations about these monuments... maybe we'll start seeing them in a whole new light

I think it's so cool how Kara Walker took those old statues and turned them into something entirely new! I mean, who needs a Robert E. Lee statue when you can have an Unmanned Drone sculpture that makes you think about the history of slavery? It's like, we need to break free from our past and make space for a more inclusive future. The Jackson statue transformation is so mind-blowing too - I love how it just defies its original purpose! And I'm all for sparking conversations about Confederate monuments in American society... maybe they can be seen as symbols of a darker time, rather than a proud heritage?

I mean, come on, who knew transforming Confederate statues into drones would be so thought-provoking? It's like, Kara Walker is basically saying, "Hey, we gotta see these symbols of hate for what they are – a bunch of outdated, problematic stuff that we can't just ignore." And, honestly, I think she's onto something. Those statues have been sitting around for way too long, serving as a reminder of America's dark past.

The Monuments exhibit is like a super important conversation starter, IMHO. It's not about tearing down history or erasing the past, but more about making us see how our perspectives can change over time. And, let's be real, it's high time we had some tough conversations about white supremacy and slavery in this country...

I don’t usually comment but I think it’s wild that these statues are being turned into art pieces now . It's like, the US is finally starting to confront its troubled past and I'm here for it . The fact that Kara Walker is taking these symbols of white supremacy and turning them into something that defies their original intention is a powerful statement . And I gotta say, I love how the Jackson statue ended up looking like a weird, angry creature – like it's finally saying what everyone else has been too afraid to say . It's also cool to see these monuments being recontextualized as art pieces that spark conversations about our collective history .