The National Mall in Washington, DC
Washington, DC, has some very strange, very funny brand new public works of art, one of which “commemorates” the events of January 6, 2021.
Pedestrians have noticed a new bronze statue near the walkways on DC’s National Mall, partway between the US Capitol building and the Washington Monument. It appears to have been cast in the shape of a desk with a large, cartoon-style piece of excrement resting on top of it. The nameplate on the desk bears the name of Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi. On the pedestal supporting the bronze, a plaque reads, “This memorial honors the brave men and women who broke into the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021 to loot, urinate and defecate throughout those hallowed halls in order to overturn an election.” The sculpture is specifically a reference to the ways that some members of Congress had their offices vandalized during the insurrection. During the events of January 6th, four people were killed, with rioters causing about $1.5 million in damages.
The artist is unknown, but the Park Service issued the permit to Civic Crafted LLC. On the permit, the organization describes the work and its meaning, with the desk itself representing “the heart of democracy, where decisions are made, voices are heard, and the future is shaped”. The emoji-style feces not only stand in for the actual acts committed during the riot at the Capitol but how those actions metaphorically tarnished the democratic process’s sanctity. While some have criticized the bronze, describing it as “tasteless” and an “embarrassment”, many others have offered their praise. One local passerby called it “brilliant satire,” while a social media user commented, “They nailed it!”
DC locals and tourists had a few days to view the desk statue before the Civic Crafted LLC struck again. On Monday, October 28th, the organization unveiled a new sculpture at Freedom Plaza, one block from the National Mall and a short walk from the White House. The second statue consists of a hand holding aloft a flaming tiki torch. The plaque below it names it the Donald J. Trump Enduring Flame. This is a parody of the idea of an eternal flame as a commemorative device, most famously used in the United States at the gravesite of President John F. Kennedy at Arlington National Cemetery. At the same time, the tiki torch references the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in August 2017. During this event, white nationalist demonstrators assembled in the college town and marched together carrying the ignited backyard accessories. Many have commented that this was an intimidation tactic and likely a conscious way to echo the torchlit parades of Germany during the Nazi era. Like the desk, it serves as a criticism of those who actively endanger democracy in the United States. One passerby noted that he approved of the tiki torch, commenting that it is “a perfect piece of satirical sculpture in its placement, in its timing, in its execution”. Of course, not everyone is expected to like the sculptures. But the arts are one of the most effective ways to express dissent. Talking about the desk, the National Mall’s chief of communications, Mike Litterst, commented that the statue is displayed appropriately since the National Mall is “a forum in which citizens can exercise their Constitutional rights of speech and assembly”.
The bronze desk will be displayed on the National Mall in Washington, DC, until October 30th, while the torch will be taken down the following day.