N:3 MA:GD/GD

Monument Avenue: General Demotion/General Devotion mOb+storefrOnt missiOn Middle of Broad (mOb studiO) and Storefront for Community Design (SFCD) believe that good design pro- motes a healthier city and encourages citizens to participate more fully in their environment, their government, and their culture.

mOb studiO is an interdisciplinary, service-learning design lab consisting of three VCUarts design departments: fashion, graphic, and interior design. Faculty and students from these disciplines work collaboratively to explore design’s potential to shape our city — Richmond, — and its inhabitants.

Storefront is Richmond’s non-profit, design-assistance center. SFCD is focused on improving the quality of design in the city by facilitating access to design services and planning resources.

mOb+Storefront, a partnership between mOb studiO and SFCD, combines the energy, enthusiasm, and expertise of VCU faculty and students with Storefront’s staff and their community connections.

In mOb studiO, students work with clients from the community and are mentored by professional design practitioners, faculty, and local citizens. Together they are engaged and immersed in a wide range of design projects for the City’s eclectic neighborhoods including , Carver, Church Hill, Gilpin, Route 1, the East End, and .

The scope and scale of design projects varies and includes bike racks, dog-park shelters, community gardens and sheds, garments for conjoined twins, a swimming apparatus for a wounded veteran, healing gardens and nutrition programs.

Storefront was founded in 2011, by a group of city planners, residents, architects, designers, and community activists. Storefront is active in all nine City Council districts in Richmond and runs three primary programs: Design Session matches clients with design and planning professionals; Youth Empowerment educates local youth about design through partner- ships, lectures and classes, and; Community Advocacy meets communities needs by facilitating access to resources to improve the quality of design and quality of life in the city of Richmond.

2 3 mOnument speaks, spring 2018

4 5 : General Devotion/General Demotion MAGDGD

Monument Avenue: General Devotion/General Statues punctuate the eastern end of Monument Avenue at significant intersections. General J.E.B. Stuart marks the eastern Demotion is a national design ideas competition origin of Monument Avenue at Lombardy Street. Moving west, intended to facilitate constructive discussion General Robert E. Lee sits at the intersection of Monument and Allen Avenues, at the intersection of Monument about the future of Monument Avenue. and Davis Avenues, General at the intersection of Monument Avenue and North Boulevard, and at the intersection of Monument Avenue, Belmont and Good design has the power to offer nuanced, West Franklin Streets. The westernmost statue of is multi-layered and hybridized representation of at the intersection of Monument Avenue and Roseneath Road. the built environment in places where conven- CONTEXT tional discussion has failed. Design can mediate Designed to encourage the westward development of the City solutions that focus dialogue and debate. of Richmond, the original drawing of Monument Avenue showed a street accommodating a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee and extending west with a tree-lined grassy median. Developers COMPETITION OVERVIEW unveiled the Lee statue on May 29, 1890, twenty years after Lee’s death. Building rapidly increased on Monument Avenue from 1900 Storefront for Community Design and mObstudiO at Virginia to 1925 as prominent regional and national architects designed Commonwealth University School of the Arts invite teams houses, churches and apartment buildings. As development of planners, architects, landscape architects, designers, artists extended west, the Stuart and Davis statues were erected in 1907, or individuals to participate in an international design ideas the Jackson statue in 1919, the Maury statue in 1929. competition to conceptually reimagine Monument Avenue in Richmond, Virginia. The city erected the Ashe statue in 1996. Arthur Ashe remains the most recent addition to Monument Avenue. In 1965, on the heels The competition, called Monument Avenue: General Demotion/ of the Civil War Centennial, the Richmond Planning commission General Devotion, asks participants to reconsider Monument endorsed a plan to install seven additional Confederate statues on Avenue: its role as an historic urban boulevard, its viability Monument Avenue. Salvador Dali proposed a sculpture of Confeder- as a 5.4 mile interurban connector, its presence in Richmond ate Captain Sally Louisa Tompkins in 1966. Neither of these plans given the city’s emergence as a diverse and progressive city, came to fruition. its significance in the history of the United States and in the current debate about Confederate statues in public spaces. Recently a series of incidents and social justice movements have reignited discussions about the future of Confederate statues SITE around the country. Baltimore and have recently removed statues from public parks and streets. Charlottesville is Monument Avenue originates at the J.E.B. Stuart statue at its in the midst of debate about the future of its Confederate statuary. intersection with Lombardy Street in the historic and Cities and towns nationwide are grappling with the role of historic extends west 5.4 miles into Henrico County where it terminates and public art. There is an opportunity, in what is the former at Horsepen Road. The Monument Avenue Historic District extends capital of the Confederacy, to establish a model for constructive from Birch Street (a block east of Lombardy Street) 1.6 miles west civic discussion to engage the complex issues of the Avenue’s to Roseneath Road. Of its 5.4-mile length, 3.1 miles of Monument history, social justice, public art and planning. Avenue are in the City of Richmond. The remaining 2.3 miles are in Henrico County. JURY (see: monumentavenuegdgd.com/jury)

A jury of nationally known and locally knowledgeable practitioners representing the planning, architecture, landscape architecture, historical and social justice communities will select finalists and For more information about the competition winners from the submitted entries. Jurors will have full discretion and to download the site plan of Monument Avenue for the awarding and distribution of prize money. go to: monumentavenuegdgd.com

6 7 MA:GD/GD

DESIGN VISION Competition Timeline April 2018 Recent discussion and debate have Registration opens focused on four primary strategies for September 15, 2018 the evolution of Monument Avenue. Registration closes

1 Deadline Extended to The City of Richmond and the Common- December 6, 2018 Competition entries due wealth of Virginia should maintain the at 12:00am (midnight) EST status quo on Monument Avenue. Some argue that Monument Avenue is a February 14, 2019 significant artifact of Richmond history Exhibition opens at the Valentine, and should be preserved as it stands. Richmond, Virginia November 20, 2019 2 Closing reception and announcement The Confederate statues need context. of jurors’ selections Some argue that context would frame and the People’s Choice Award the roles of the Confederacy and the December 1, 2019 men immortalized in the statuary Exhibition at the Valentine closes as players in Richmond’s, Virginia’s, and the nation’s history. Prizes First Place 3 People’s Choice Award Merit Awards based on jurors’ discretion Create more statues along the 5.4-mile length of Monument Avenue while Monetary prizes will be awarded leaving the existing statuary. at the jurors’ discretion. Awards will be announced at the closing reception, 4 November 20, 2019 at the Valentine. The removal of all or some of the The jury will award a total of $10,000 dollars Confederate statuary. Some argue that in prize money. the Confederate statues should be destroyed, moved to a museum or Competition Partners historic park, returned to the organiza- Storefront for Community Design mOb studiO, VCUarts, tions that originally funded their The Valentine construction, or placed in storage. The NEA Artworks mObjOb 6: mOb on mOnument/Fall 2015: Adele Ball While these strategies are most often Local Archives discussed, we are confident that there The Valentine The Library of Virginia are hybrids of these strategies and The City of Richmond Public Library as yet unformulated ideas to address Cabell Library, Virginia Commonwealth University the issues and opportunities presented The Museum by Monument Avenue. The Virginia Museum of History and Culture The Virginia Foundation of the Humanities Monument Avenue Commission

Online Resources On Monument Avenue Monument Lab

8 9 /Fall 2015: left: An Liu/right: BOqin Peng mObjOb 6: mOb On mOnument

11 mObjOb 6: mOb On mOnument Fall 2015

Wagner Julie Nerenberg Camden Whitehead Michael Walker Stephanie SchapOwal

FranciscO Besa Kasha KillingswOrth JOhn MalinOski ZOe Pulley Adele Ball

12 13 Next City/For Whom By Whom: Emily Nonko In August 2017, a town hall forum took presence in Richmond given the city’s place to discuss the future of Monument emergence as a diverse and progressive Avenue in Richmond, Virginia. The thor- city, its significance in the history of oughfare was conceived during a site the United States and in the current de- search for a memorial to Robert E. Lee bate about Confederate statues in public after his death in 1870. Today it is spaces,” as the collaborative puts it. a tree-lined mall, dividing east and west- bound traffic, lined with the Virginian mOb+Storefront doesn’t simply want Confederate veterans Lee, J.E.B Stuart, to exhibit the proposals — they want to Jefferson Davis, Thomas “Stonewall” city to start discussing them. “Race is Jackson and Matthew Fontaine Maury. on everybody’s mind, and has been on In 1996 Richmond integrated its most everybody’s mind for a long time here,” famous street, erecting a monument to says Camden Whitehead, an architect, mObjOb 6: mOb on mOnument / Fall 2015: Kerrie Harlow Richmond native and African-American cofounder of mOb studiO and the com- tennis champion Arthur Ashe. petition director. “And nobody knows how to talk about it.” Decisions to remove Confederate mon- uments in Charlottesville and New mOb+Storefront’s work around Mon- Orleans prompted Richmond to consid- ument Avenue dates back to 2015. er its own. But the August meeting — Following the shooting at Emanuel which drew over 500 attendees — ended AME Church in Charleston and police up a two-hour shouting match that shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, “bordered on chaotic,” according to the mObstudiO faculty asked a group of Richmond Times-Dispatch. A few days Virginia Commonwealth University de- after the meeting, about an hour away, sign students to design a prosthetic for the “Unite the Right” rally erupted in Monument Avenue’s statue of Robert E. Charlottesville to protest Confederate Lee that would alter its meaning. monument removal. In November of 2015, mOb hosted a A group behind a Richmond design col- show and standing-room-only panel dis- lective was paying close attention. mOb cussion around the student proposals. studiO is a partnership of three design departments of Virginia Commonwealth “Having all these proposals around us University School of the Arts. Storefront sort of diffused the situation,” says for Community Design is a local non- Whitehad. “It enabled us to talk about profit design assistance center. Working the proposals, and not about where an together as mOb+Storefront, the two individual stood on the issues.” organizations share studio space and often collaborate. It was a stark contrast to the heated Town Hall meeting that summer. “It Monument Avenue has long been of seemed to enhance the discussion, interest to mOb+Storefront. This Thurs- and make it a lot more constructive,” day, Feb. 14, the collaborative will unveil Whitehead adds. in the Former ConfederateConversations about Confederate Capital Monuments one result of its sustained conversation around the thoroughfare. An exhibit it’s mOb+Storefront applied for and received mounting at The Valentine, a local his- a National Endowment for the Arts grant toric center, will display proposals from to hold an international design compe- around the world that re-imagine Mon- tition to further reimagine Monument ument Avenue, exploring “its role as an Avenue. The competition opened to sub- historic urban boulevard, its viability missions in May 2018 and closed this as a 5.4 mile interurban connector, its past December.

14 15 For Whom By Whom: Emily Nonko The collaborative invited planners, Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney formed a architects, landscape architects, design- Monument Avenue Commission in 2017, ers, artists and individuals to submit which released a report last summer designs; a separate youth competition recommending the removal of the Jeffer- included workshops to assist students son Davis statue as well as the addition in designing monuments to heroes they of signage to the four others of Confed- think worthy of the next monument for erate leaders. the avenue.

Conversations about Confederate Monuments Capital Conversations about Confederate in the Former Confederate Though the City of Richmond is aware The Valentine will exhibit all the entries, of the design competition, there is no highlighting the 20 proposals that commitment or mandate to implement jurors selected as finalists. Youth ideas from any of the proposals. entries will be displayed at the Branch Museum of Architecture and Design For mOb+Storefront, “it’s a speculative on February 16th. Visitors will have effort to put an offering out there and a chance to weigh in on submissions hope something sticks,” Whitehead through a People’s Choice Vote. says. “Primarily for us, it’s about keep- ing the conversation going.” But the most crucial aspect of the exhibit will be a series of discussions, This article is part of “For Whom, the group says. They hope the proposals By Whom,” a series of articles about how creative placemak- help steer conversations, while prompt- ing can expand opportunities for ing visitors to themselves envision low-income people living in disin- a new Monument Avenue. “A unique vested communities. This series aspect of design is that it can focus a is generously underwritten by the conversation,” Whitehead explains. Kresge Foundation. Emily Nonko is a Brooklyn, New “I’ve looked through these entries and York-based reporter who writes I think there’s such hope for a better about real estate, architecture, and different future,” says Ryan Rinn, urbanism and design. Her work has executive director of the Storefront for appeared in the Wall Street Journal, New York Magazine, Curbed, and Community Design and project liaison other publications. for the competition. “The beauty of a competition like this is that you can see February 12, 2019 that realized in ways you probably never thought about.”

Sandy Wheeler, a graphic design profes- sor who is also part of mOb, hopes such conversations can serve as a blueprint for more to come. “It becomes a model mObjOb 6: mOb On m Onument/Fall 2015: left: An Liu / right: Boquin Peng for other issues that have to deal with race, and can be extended to other contemporary issues we’re dealing with, like gender,” she says.

16 17 more info: more April 2018 Exhibition closes Registration opens February 14, 2019 February 14, December 1, 2018 2018 December 1, December 1, 2019 November 20, 2019 November 20, September 15, 2018 September 15,

Competition entries due

www.monumentaveuegdgd.com [email protected] Storefront for Community Design and mObstudiO Storefront significance in the history of United States and Invitation to Compete Invitation to participate in a national design ideas competition viability as a 5.4 mile interurban connector, its presence its presence viability as a 5.4 mile interurban connector, conceptually reimagine Monument Avenue in Richmond, Virginia. Monument Avenue conceptually reimagine in the current debate about Confederate statues in public spaces. in the current at Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts invite teams Exhibition of competition Entries Opens at the Valentine, Richmond, VA Exhibition of competition Entries Opens at the Valentine, planners, architects, landscape architects, designers, artists or individuals landscape architects, planners, architects, Monument Avenue: General Demotion/General Devotion asks participants Monument Avenue: to reconsider Monument Avenue; its role as an historic urban boulevard, its as an historic urban boulevard, its role Monument Avenue; to reconsider in Richmond given the city’s emergence as a diverse and progressive city, its city, emergence as a diverse and progressive in Richmond given the city’s Closing reception and announcement of jurors’ selections and People’s Choice Award selections and People’s and announcement of jurors’ Closing reception Registration closes. No entries will be judged if they are not registered by September 15 not registered Registration closes. No entries will be judged if they are

18 19 GENERAL DEMOTION/GENERAL DEVOTION GENERAL Designers Artists and - Craft+Design - Virginia Arts - Make do Creativity Lab - The Art Cade accelerators Incubators & - Lighthouse Labs - 80 amps - Startup Virginia - Unreasonable - Labs VA Designers Artists and Designers Artists and

The Richmond Engagement Corridor Pratt Institute Group #2- Craft+Design - Virginia Arts - Make do Creativity Lab - The Art Cade - Craft+Design - Virginia Arts - Make do Creativity Lab - The Art Cade Educational Designers Cultural and - Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) - (UR) - Virginia Immigrant Multi-Cultural and Empowerment Center - Richmond Culture Works - Free Jambalaya - The Elegba Folklore Society Artists and - Craft+Design - Virginia Arts - Make do Creativity Lab - The Art Cade 12/6/2018 8:15:51 PM accelerators Incubators & - Lighthouse Labs - 80 amps - Startup Virginia - Unreasonable - Labs VA accelerators Incubators & - Lighthouse Labs - 80 amps - Startup Virginia - Unreasonable - Labs VA Education Center Education Source: www.nacto.org Source: Source: Richmond Peace Peace Richmond Source: Source: Chicago Tribune Chicago Source: Research & Development - Rich Tech - Venture Forum - Chamber RVA - Virginia Biotech Research Park - The Martin Agency - Snagajob COMMUNITY THINK TANKS COMMUNITY accelerators Incubators & - Lighthouse Labs - 80 amps - Startup Virginia - Unreasonable - Labs VA Designers Educational Cultural and Artists and - Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) - University of Richmond (UR) - Virginia Immigrant Multi-Cultural and Empowerment Center - Richmond Culture Works - Free Jambalaya - The Elegba Folklore Society Educational Cultural and - Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) - University of Richmond (UR) - Virginia Immigrant Multi-Cultural and Empowerment Center - Richmond Culture Works - Free Jambalaya - The Elegba Folklore Society - Craft+Design - Virginia Arts - Make do Creativity Lab - The Art Cade Designers Artists and Research & Educational - Craft+Design - Virginia Arts - Make do Creativity Lab - The Art Cade Cultural and - Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) - University of Richmond (UR) - Virginia Immigrant Multi-Cultural and Empowerment Center - Richmond Culture Works - Free Jambalaya - The Elegba Folklore Society Research & Development - Rich Tech - Venture Forum - Chamber RVA - Virginia Biotech Research Park - The Martin Agency - Snagajob Development COMMUNITY THINK TANKS COMMUNITY - Rich Tech - Venture Forum - Chamber RVA - Virginia Biotech Research Park - The Martin Agency - Snagajob COMMUNITY THINK TANKS COMMUNITY Source: Pedbikesafe.org Source: accelerators Incubators & - Lighthouse Labs - 80 amps - Startup Virginia - Unreasonable - Labs VA Source: Huntsville Madison County County Madison Huntsville Source: Veterans Memorial accelerators Incubators & - Lighthouse Labs - 80 amps - Startup Virginia - Unreasonable - Labs VA Research & Development - Rich Tech - Venture Forum - Chamber RVA - Virginia Biotech Research Park - The Martin Agency - Snagajob COMMUNITY THINK TANKS COMMUNITY Educational Cultural and - Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) - University of Richmond (UR) - Virginia Immigrant Multi-Cultural and Empowerment Center - Richmond Culture Works - Free Jambalaya - The Elegba Folklore Society

Educational Cultural and - Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) - University of Richmond (UR) - Virginia Immigrant Multi-Cultural and Empowerment Center - Richmond Culture Works - Free Jambalaya - The Elegba Folklore Society Research & Development - Rich Tech - Venture Forum - Chamber RVA - Virginia Biotech Research Park - The Martin Agency - Snagajob COMMUNITY THINK TANKS COMMUNITY Research & Landscape design modifications modifications design Landscape can benches additional as such activities recreational promote such Avenue, Monument along with sitting lunches, outdoor as quietly. a book reading or friends limit speed the of A reduction the and Avenue Monument along crosswalks more of introduction and a safer facilitate can for experience pleasant more corridor. the along pedestrians pedestrian Increased connecting infrastructure historic other to Avenue Monument city create can the around assets social inclusive more a larger, Richmond. for narrative coordination the provide can tanks think community of creation The of history the about discussions scholarly of implementation and issues. justice social and and War Civil American the slavery, series lecture and conferences annual organize can tanks think These educational related of a calendar maintain as well as topics, these on events. allow that programs history oral organize also can tanks think The would which narratives unique their share to members community community. current and history Richmond’s enrich Enhance the connection between between connection the Enhance Monument along programming educational local the and Avenue Avenue Monument institutions. for space a hands-on become can history discussing and exploring issues. justice social and institutions educational local Key Commonwealth Virginia include University, University of Richmond, History of Museum Virginia The Science the and Culture and Virginia. of Museum Development - Rich Tech - Venture Forum - Chamber RVA - Virginia Biotech Research Park - The Martin Agency - Snagajob COMMUNITY THINK TANKS COMMUNITY Source: Le pamphlet Le Source: Select portions of Monument Avenue can be inlaid with brick brick with inlaid be can Avenue Monument of Select portions influential of names the show that panels concrete or pavers significance. local of scenes depict or citizens Richmond dedication for events or a person nominate may citizen Any the honor to opportunity an it makes This avenue. the along Richmond’s of events significant overlooked and heros unsung long history. EDUCATION: EDUCATION: RECOGNIZING UNSUNG HEROES RECREATION: ENHANCED PEDESTRIAN EXPERIENCE • • • EDUCATION: COMMUNITY THINK TANKS • • • YOUTH ENGAGEMENT • •

• • N Allen Ave Allen N

N Allen Ave Allen N

by 2015 by GamFratesi by Business Julien Berthier incubators Monumental Break the corridor. corridor. the Kunstplatz Graben, Vienna, Austria, Austria, Vienna, Graben, Kunstplatz CULTURE: CULTURE: CULTURE: Source: The Dallas Artss District Artss Dallas The Source: RECREATION: RECREATION: CORRIDOR by Arch Arch Tourism Ai Weiwei Ai Collaborative Washington Square, Square, Washington New York, USA, 2017 York, New exhibition of Danish design, MIlan, Italy, 2015 Italy, MIlan, design, Danish of exhibition Covers Milanese cloister with mirrors for Mindcraft for mirrors with cloister Milanese Covers of creative dreamers and doers. and dreamers creative of PROGRAMS human scale around the landscape. landscape. the around scale human APPROACH 5 miles Sculpture Park Sculpture 2015 Hide and Reveal Adaptive Reuse Sculpture Park, Park, Sculpture by GamFratesi GamFratesi by Local Economy Economy Local MONUMENT AVENUE Richmond , Virginia design, MIlan,design, Italy, REBRANDING Development Strategy Development 5 miles for Mindcraftfor of Danish exhibition Covers Milanese cloister with mirrors Milanese with mirrors cloister Covers Italy, 1970. By Christo 1970. Italy, Sculpture Park, Park, Sculpture Wrapped Monument to to Monument Wrapped Richmond , Virginia Leonardo da Vinci, Milan, Milan, Vinci, da Leonardo Place-Based Art and Local Monumental Break Monumental 2015 Austria, Vienna, Graben, Kunstplatz Berthier Julien by MONUMENT SCULPTURES AVENUE by Christo by Placemaking Milan, Italy, 1970 Milan, Italy, RECREATION EDUCATION CULTURE EDUCATION RECREATION to Leonardo da Vinci, Vinci, da Leonardo to Wrapped Monument Wrapped inclusive space or representative of Richmond collectively. Richmond of representative or space inclusive THE RICHMOND ENGAGEMENT & additions that cater to major local demographics and visitors. and demographics local major to cater that additions Rebranding Monument Avenue as the “Richmond Engagement Engagement “Richmond the as Avenue Monument Rebranding By Katharina Fritsch By Katharina Projects enhance the visitor experience as informative and fun fun and informative as experience visitor the enhance Projects Branding Square, London, 2013. 2013. London, Square, 2013 Hahn/Cock in Trafalgar Trafalgar in Hahn/Cock • • London, UK London, Local Partneship Hahn/Cock in Hahn/Cock Corridor (REC)” seeks to acknowledge Richmond as a dynamic city a dynamic as Richmond acknowledge to seeks (REC)” Corridor Trafalgar Square, Square, Trafalgar

Rebranding aids in neutralizing the stigma that the Avenue is not an an not is Avenue the that stigma the neutralizing in aids Rebranding

by Katharinaby Fritsch Horsepen Road Horsepen •

Local Strategy Economy

+ Maker Space Art Incubators Horsepen Road Horsepen Development + POP-UP AND INCUBATOR events such as farmers markets, arts and crafts fairs, and 5K or marathon races. marathon or 5K and fairs, crafts and arts markets, farmers as such events United States. United Cultural Heritage Tourism Strategy information on local cultural, educational, and recreational sites and institutions. institutions. and sites recreational and educational, cultural, local on information Jurors’ Award for Programming Jurors’ Award HIDE AND REVEAL DESIGN along the corridor. corridor. the along HERITAGE TOURISM CENTER Homestay for Tourists. LOCAL COLLEGE ARTISTS STUDENTS The construction of visitor kiosks along Monument Avenue which will include a city map, and and a city map, include will which Avenue Monument along kiosks visitor of construction The expanding diversity, and the the and diversity, expanding these programs which can provide business development, marketing and technical assistance. technical and marketing development, business provide can which programs these Cultural Heritage Tourism Cultural Heritage • PLACE-BASED AND LOCAL ART Addition of place-based art to to art place-based of Addition the landscape as an integrative integrative an as landscape the at 3200 West Broad Street or houses for sale along Monument Avenue present an opportunity for for opportunity an present Avenue Monument along sale for houses or Street Broad West at 3200 Local artists design installations installations design artists Local Remove all monuments from their pedestal or any aggrandizing features and place them at a more at a more them place and features aggrandizing any or pedestal their from monuments all Remove

that commingle with the existing existing the with commingle that Using a play off of the high-European style of “hide and reveal” landscape design, contextualize the the contextualize design, landscape reveal” and “hide of style high-European the of off a play Using • approach to building community, community, building to approach monuments so that they are simply another element within the space rather than the main focus of of focus main the than rather space the within element another simply are they that so monuments Temporary close portions of Monument Avenue to vehicular traffic to allow for pop-up markets and and markets pop-up for allow to traffic vehicular to Avenue Monument of portions close Temporary sculptures and encourage walking walking encourage and sculptures • houses • justice issues in Richmond and the the and Richmond in issues justice development such artist or small business incubator spaces. Properties such as the abandoned hotel hotel abandoned the as such Properties spaces. incubator business small or artist such development Vacant or for sale buildings in and around Monument avenue can be transformed into new mixed-use mixed-use new into transformed be can avenue Monument around and in buildings sale for or Vacant Reuse of Economy • Adaptive Kiosks can also advertise local programing in the city focused in areas such as the arts and education. education. and arts the as such areas in city focused the in programing local advertise also can Kiosks • advancement of discourse on social social on discourse of advancement Creative Arts • • Source: American Society of Landscape Architects Landscape Society of American Source:

is for Tourists Residents Tourism Department Dreamers Richmond Institutions Churches Owners Property Museums PRIVATE CITY COMMUNITY Richmond Small Preservation Business Richmond Engagement Corridor Engagement Richmond Developers Virginia is for Lovers Library & Charities Artists Non-Profits Activists Recreation Broadly defined, recreation projects are those both that active and contemplative use of space. These projects seek encourage to transform Monument Avenue into a more inclusive gathering space for both local community members and Together, visitors. they create a versatile setting for cultural, artistic, and physical activities and the of parts other and experiences. corridor this between connection a Projects develop in this a whole. as Richmond and categoryneighborhood further Education corridor Monument the Avenue is uniquely situated position near cultural that universities, organizations community and institutions, as a potential epicenter focused on discussion slavery, the and American Civil social War, for community-based and research justice issues in the voice, scholarly United States. Educational projects prominent highlight a become to Richmond for opportunities conversations. important these for leader thought and center, Culture to its due environment a polarizing currently is Avenue Monument cumulative The implications. social strong and history deep-seated discord that the Avenue generates inhibits the advancement a into inclusive more the corridor of making regarding conversations space. To make actions progress, can be taken to neutralize the stigma surrounding the Avenue. This can of open group a for community diverse environment comfortable more the space as a visitors. and members

Youth VISION the from ideas and thoughts incorporating approach, a holistic Using seeks proposal this placemaking, and preservation planning, of fields corridor Avenue Monument the along use of quality the improve to a welcoming creating development, economic new in aiding by and activities, cultural and social open-ended for environment community. Richmond greater the for space inclusive an promoting of abundance the manifest and channel to opportunity an is There active an community into Avenue Monument surrounding passion programming, cultural design, art, as such methods Using corridor. uses proposal This institutions. local with collaboration and three in Avenue Monument of use the advance to projects suggested Culture. and Education, Recreation, areas: focus key Monument animate and enliven, diversify, to work areas focus These social critical for opportunity an present they Furthermore, Avenue. of support the and citizens, local of celebration the discourse, for is Virginia while that illustrating activities; everyday meaningful dreamers. for is Richmond lovers, This strategy can expand beyond Monument Avenue. City, community and and community City, Avenue. Monument beyond expand strategy can This and bolsters that a network create to together work can entities private history its in rooted both it’s that community, Richmond a vibrant supports future. its of cognizant and THE RICHMOND ENGAGEMENT CORRIDOR poster_2_12.5.18.indd 1

20 21 mOb On mOnument/Fall 2017 mOb studiO/Fall 2017

jefferson davis

The addition bridging over the Jefferson Davis monument serves as a clear, simple integration of monument and pathway. Users of the bridge are able to walk on either side of the monument’s tallest pillar, at a level elevated MOB higher than Jefferson Davis himself. The bridge is 15 feet tall at its highest point, which allows users to cross com- N LOMBARDY ST fortably over the line of traffic and continue along the pathway in either direction.

N ALLEN AVE

ON N MEADOW ST N ALLISON ST HERMITAGE RD

STRAWBERRY ST stonewall jackson

N DAVIS AVE The walkway at the intersection of Monument and Boulevard bridges across the intersection, and is directly perpendicular to the Stonewall Jackson monument. MONU N ROBINSON ST Bridging across the monument itself, underneath the horse’s legs, the walkway allows its users to interact directly with the Stonewall Jackson monument and ap- N MULBERRY ST preciate the sculpture’s craftsmanship and sheer size, rather than the glorified content. After crossing beneath

BOULEVARD Jackson and his horse, pedestrians and bikers enter into N SHEPPARD ST the beginning of the Museum District, an area rich with foliage.

WAYNE ST MENT CLEVELAND ST N BELMONT AVE

TILDEN ST ROSENEATH RD matthew fontaine MAURY

N THOMPSON ST Here the walkway rises to 21 feet tall around the Matthew Fontaine Maury monument. This height allows AVENUE someone to be at eye level with the tallest portion of the N HAMILTON ST monument. This encourages a primary interaction between the public and the statue. The walkway itself KENT RD 195 widens around the monument, mimicking the shape of the original grass area surrounding Maury. Two sets of LAFAYETTE ST stairs follow the outer curve on opposite sides, TEAM leading pedestrians down to the ground level, where MALVERN AVE they can observe the Maury statue and enjoy the more Esther Cho private foliage-filled courtyard beneath the opening in Jordan Greene ANTRIM AVE the bridge. Julie Nerenberg SAUER AVE

Kasha Killingsworth SHENANDOAH ST Kate Renner COMMONWEALTH AVE arthur ASHE MENTORS WESTMORELAND ST The addition over the Ashe monument serves as a place Danielle Worthing, Historic Richmond of engagement which allows users of the bridge to get BLACKER ST Madge Bemiss, Madge Bemiss Architects close with the local hero, something they previously would not have had the chance to do. With engraved CHANTILLY ST lines in the concrete base mimicking the tennis courts BRIEF Ashe frequented, and a cutout in the pathway allowing

Creating a series of actions based on the ongoing conversations around the W GRACE ST users to closely view the monument, the Ashe addition allows for a viewing of Ashe which is more personal and history and future of one of Richmond’s most iconic streets. allows the Ashe monument to be viewed more favorably STAPLES MILL RD WILLOW LAWN than it has been previously.

ACTION WILLOW LAWN DR

After studying Monument Avenue at its full 5.4 mile length and focusing on BYRD AVE areas of the avenue which we thought most needed addressing, we proposed an addition to Monument which we believed would unify the avenue, address the TREBOY AVE monuments and their challenging histories, and make the avenue more welcoming PEACHTREE BLVD BRIDGE OVER 195 and usable for all residents and visitors of Richmond. The addition is an elevated bridge, to be used by pedestrians either on foot or bike, which spans the length of LAKE AVE Located above the downtown expressway, this section of Monument Avenue to connect some of its more disparate sections together. A gate- Monument Avenue spans over both 195 and the adjacent way over the avenue, the bridge is a slender, steel structure which complements the railroad it encloses, leaving it the only section of LIBBIE AVE Monument Avenue which does not have any greenery in existing monuments and creates a new centerpiece to the avenue, a centerpiece its median. An uneven concrete slab, the median poses which is just as much of a destination as the monuments have come to be. The BREMO RD issues of varying elevation and remains an inaccessible bridge over Monument Avenue interacts with the monuments from Lombardy to and unsightly area of the avenue. To combat the changes Roseneath in site specific ways and gives users of the bridge a different perspective in elevation, the addition to Monument here ramps down to street level, creating a walking path atop the existing on the monuments, as they are able to visually and physically be on their level. slab. Steel beams and lintels form a pergola above the pedestrians using the path, and are covered with vines and We wanted to challenge the current representation of the monuments, as they are greenery, which shade users of the path and bring life and color to an otherwise gray area of the avenue. currently less than accessible to the public and seem to be revered as untouchable DEVERS RD works of art, rather than public works of art. Through a series of models, drawings, PEPPER AVE and maps, we communicated our proposal for the new addition, specifically the ORCHARD RD

additions which would be made to the existing monuments on Monument Avenue. PINE RIDGE RD JOrdan Greene, Julie Nerenberg, Kasha KillingswOrth, Kate Renner Esther ChO, Team: The new monument sites will be accessible to all users and will allow pedestrians BEVRIDGE RD EXIT/ENTRANCE AT HORSEPEN ROAD on the bridge to have new gathering spaces, new community meeting areas, new areas for recreation, and the opportunity to understand the monuments and their Located at the end of Monument Avenue, the addition at true history through informative signage. Through providing these amenities, the ROXBURY RD Horsepen Road serves as a universal entrance and exit Monument addition will allow residents and visitors to fully enjoy the avenue in its to the bridge. The entrance / exit is clear and visible to entirety as well as understand its roots, and will propose clear, pedestrian-oriented any passerby, and may encourage any potential users farther down Monument Avenue to use the pathway and traffic over a street which is nearly always frequented by traffic. This newfound STILLWELL RD better experience the avenue. Able to be utilized as a accessibility will allow people to observe and contemplate the monuments from venue for walking or biking, neighbors who live nearby much closer than they previously would have, and will encourage users to confront W FRANKLIN ST and do not have yards or sidewalks of their own can and acknowledge the monuments in a more thoughtful and educated way, rather CHARLES ST utilize this section of the bridge to walk their dog, go on a morning run, or bike down the Monument Bridge, than simply driving by them. either going the full 5.4 miles or exiting at a ramp or DONALD ST elevator exit whenever they reach their destination.

HORSEPEN RD 22 23 mOb Speaks mObstOOl prOcessiOn mObstOOl prOcessiOn mOb Speaks

24 25 Bound Lori Garrett, Robert Riddle, Neil Walls Known for his beaux-arts design and watercolors, monument architect Williamarchitect design and watercolors, monument C. Known for his beaux-arts Noland may have rendered the memorial like this if he were designing it today.

5 parades featuring men, women, and children pulling them through the streets. The rope fragments became relics, and pieces of were distributed as souvenirs. As counterpoint to the “Lost Cause” narrative, we intend to use rope to re-form the way sculptures are experienced – as a reminder of our history where the heritage of some perpetuated the bondage others. with general will be wound tightly Confederate form of each The three-dimensional monuments’ cords of rope, maintaining the Davis and Maury the Rope is used differently with silhouettes. A non- Confederacy. roles in the reflecting greater/lesser statues, appearance, rope serves as an statues’ the way to alter permanent civic artifact of our time and place, as a symbol history, in power defined those of a past when values, and interpretation rope should be removed, who would be honored. In five years, the and appropriate treatment of the statues reconsidered.

DAVIS MONUMENT DAVIS

2 2 and inscription—substantially image, architecture, Davis monument—in the historians, According to form and By adapting the in 1907. it was erected when Avenue of Monument meaning shifted the Avenue. again proclaiming a new symbolism for Monument it will once purpose of this monument, Informed by historical scholarship “Lost Cause” narrative, this design about the Confederacy and poignant transformation for all—a particularly equal justice memorial to a into this monument alters darker manifestation. also had a Davis monument the erected social forces that same the because began in earnest Virginia at a time when whites were attempting to reassert in 1880, Lynching control over black Americans. It was a public ritual, used to instill fear into the black community, restrict social movement, and send reminders about what their ‘place’ was in the South. will honor the victims of racial lynching. In frieze exedra In contrast, this monument the Confederacy, of the states eleven seals, representing the are state column surrounding the two states that sent delegates to the convention, and Maryland. In bay below each state seal state. in that of victims racial lynchings names and a wall plaque listing the will be a gold wreath allegorical figure as well the Protector) base DEO VINDICE (by God the inscription on the The of Vindicatrix (Vindication) standing atop the column will take on new meaning as a memorial to those lynched. The sculpture of Davis and the adjacent inscriptions revering Confederacy will be re-bound by civic leaders who gather to recommit Richmond binding bound in rope, and annually and injustice. up racism, inequality, Jurors’ Award for Intervention Jurors’ Award

4 BOUND Confederate statues contradict current ideals Monument Avenue’s as reinvent the monuments and perpetuate a false narrative. To catalysts for conversation and reconciliation, this project will provide these erected that socio-political an awareness of the environment understanding of the harm that ago, and a nuanced statues a century exhibit walls will Permanent society. on wrought have ideas those be constructed to provide and an accurate historical critical context painful symbols and events acknowledging the Through narrative. their message-- monuments--and of our past, we will transform the as we aspire to a future offering equality and justice for all. of symbolism both its and events historical role in its to Due visually re- and of bondage, rope will be employed to strength the time that Richmond’s citizens contextualize the statues. From Capitol Square, to monument Washington equestrian lugged the the transporting of statues to their sites was celebrated with public JACKSON MONUMENT JACKSON 4 LEE MONUMENT STUART MONUMENT & MONUMENT STUART MAURY MONUMENT

1 is located on the and its statues Avenue of Monument context social, historical and cultural exhibit about the A permanent ground, wall-mounted two walks recessed into the rises again on visitor descends and then As the site. Lee Monument that socio-political environment the and its creation; Avenue of Monument history panels will provide information on the erected many of the monuments--including Jim Crow era and myth of the Lost Cause; and current installation of elements will rope and its symbolism. include stations to create a “souvenir card” with piece of Interactive rope, to collect ideas for future monuments and to draw something that the visitor learned. 3 same material once generals will be visibly changed by the Confederate Avenue’s with rope, Monument tightly Wound used by citizens to haul the monuments into place. The intervention will not permanently alter the sculptures, but will serve panels represent. New text and what they as a visual reminder of the evolution our understanding about monuments along with a scan statues, of the transformation and current historical context will be installed to provide an overview of the code linking to a website with further information on the sculpture, its creation, and related historic events. 5 panels will be installed to provide New text nets of rope will encircle and mediate screened views Maury. Triangular along with a scan code linking to website further information on the historic context, an overview of the statue’s sculpture, its creation, and related historic events. 1 3

26 27 mOb studiO/Fall 2018 Final POster

Monument Avenue: General Demotion/General Devotion is a design ideas competition to reimagine Monument Avenue. The competition will close for submissions on December 1st, 2018 and all submissions will be displayed at the Valentine Museum in an exhibition Team: Cat Buffington, Sculpture, Alanna Richmond, Fashion Design, Mia Navarro, Graphic Design Monument Avenue opening February 14th, 2019. This team of students will be designing a ballot box and General Demotion / General Devotion exhibition materials for the People’s Choice Awards.

Peopleʼs Choice Award 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 12 12

13 14 15 16 17 18 13 14 15 16 17 18 Design Collective Firm Richmond, Virginia 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 25 26 27 28 29 30

31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36

37 38 39 40 41 42 37 38 39 40 41 42 Design Collective Firm vote. Richmond, Virginia 43 44 45 46 47 48 43 44 45 46 47 48

49 50 51 52 53 54 49 50 51 52 53 54

55 56 57 58 59 60 55 56 57 58 59 60

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67 68 69 70 71 72 67 68 69 70 71 72

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85 86 87 88 89 90 85 86 87 88 89 90

Circle your choice for People’s Please circle and place your favorite Choice Award Monument Avenue: entry in the ballot box. General01 Demotion General Devotion

Monument Avenue: Monument Avenue: General Demotion/General Devotion General Demotion General Devotionn Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste na- omnais iste natus error sit voluptatem tus error sit voluptatem accusantiudfm accusantium doloremque laudantium, doloremque laudantium, totam reddm totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inveo- ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi archi- Advisory re veritatis et quasi architecto besassd- tecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explica- Group dae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemsf bo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia enim ipsam voluptatem quia volupstas voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fu- Camden Whitehead Project Director sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sedsd git, sed quia consequuntur magni do- Adele Ball Project Manager quia consequuntur magni dolores eos lores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi Kristin Caskey Project Liason qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, Ryan Rinn Project Liason Neque porro quisquam est, qui dsolor- qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, em ipsum quia dolor sit amet, cdfon- consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non sectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia nondf numquam eius modi tempora incidunt numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam Project ut labore et dolore magnam aliquams quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima Team quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minid veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem veniam, quis nostrum exercitationesm ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi Bill Martin, Meg Hughes The Valentine ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, ni ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Tamera Harris VA Tourism ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequastu Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit Melanie Buffington Dept. of Art Education, VCU Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil Burt Pinnock Baskervill qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam ni- molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui do- hil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui lorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla. dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nul- la pariatur?” Sed ut perspiciatis unde Jury

Donna Donay College of Archtecture and Urban Studies, VA Tech Michelle Joan Wilkinson NMAAHC Joan Moeser Professor Emeritus, VCU Senior Fellow Bonner Center, UR Thomas Woltz Nelson Burd Woltz Elgin Cleckley College of Architecture, UVA

Support

VCU Arts The Valentine VCU NEA

Community Partners

Ballot Box Intro and Exit Panel Ballots Labels Final dimensions are 33.5 x 26.5 x 12 The final sizes of the introduction and exit The ballots will be printed 8.5 x 3.5 on Both labels will be printed out as 3 x 2. and will hover 8 inches off the ground. panel are 40 x 30 and will be printed on matte paper. The voters will circle one The rectangular one will be printed on The box will be assembled in wood and PVC. They will hang at the beginning and number and place it in the ballot box. paper and the horse will be on vinyl. glass. The graphics will be printed in vinyl. end of the gallery.

Group Members Mia Navarro - Graphic Design Cat Buffington - Sculpture Alanna Richmond - Fashion Design

28 29 see next spread ☛

30 31 32 33 participate in Do you a design know what competition for Richmond the next region high monument on school students Monument design the next Avenue monument should be? on Monument Avenue

winning entries will be displayed in a special exhibition at the Branch House Museum of Architecture and Design

10 material scholarships available

visit contact www.monument avenuegdgd.com/ youth [email protected]

submissions due decemeber 15, 2018 at midnight MONUMENTAL

34 35 100 Words About High School Engagement

Monument Avenue: General Demotion General Devotion will be running a series of workshops with local high school-aged youth to design the next monument GENERAL DEMOTION / GENERAL DEVOTION Workshop Curriculum Youth Competition for Monument Avenue. A handbook will be developed over the summer of 2018 and made available to teachers OVERVIEW LEARNING OUTCOMES The following document outlines an abridged version of the curriculum for Learn Richmond history and heroes in Richmond regional high schools to explain how to a unit to be taught in high school art classes in the Richmond Region. This Learn about public and activist art abridge 3 hour workshop unit is designed for high school students to learn Learn a design process: write, sketch, revise, incorporate the prompt into curricula. Students will learn about how communities commemorate heroic figures. Students will design execute the next monument on Monument Avenue and construct a paper mache Make an armature about the history of Richmond, Monument Avenue, model. Models will then be submitted to Storefront for Community Design Make a paper mache sculpture for an exhibition at the Branch Museum. sculpture, public art, and heroism. Teachers and classes can apply for supplies through Storefront for TIMELINE Community Design by emailing [email protected] 1 day 3 hours Timeline Project Brief May 17 paperclay laboratory Design a monument to your hero, June 15 unit draft due suggest, think bigger than familial meeting with art specialists monuments July 1 unit due (packaged as a lesson Begin this section by asking some of the 1 following questions to let student know plan or a presentation?) Describe your monument on an WHO ARE THE HEROES WE SHOULD HONOR IN RICHMOND? 10 minutes where this project is headed, to establish a 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper knowledge base about monuments and to Schools and Surrounding Districts What is a monument? perhaps dispel some myths. Richmond City, Henrico, Hanover Resources: Why do people create monuments? What do you know about the current controversies about monuments? MONUMENT PRECEDENTS Chesterfield, and New Kent How to make paper clay The goal of this workshop is to design—through sketching, writing, and Ancient artifacts from around the world www.wikihow.com/Make-Paper-Clay sculpting—the next monument on Monument Ave. i.e. Egytian Pyramids Competition Guidelines www.instructables.com/lesson/Paper- Maggie Walker Square on Adams and Broad Streets in downtown Richmond, VA 10 entries per school Mache-Clay Budapest, Memento Park site-specific to the intersection DESIGNING2 A MONUMENT London with the Fourth Plinth at Willow Lawn straddling the line How to make armature: paper tubes, 30 minutes New Orleans monument removal between Henrico and Richmond used cardboard, wire, sticks, wood scrap Baltimore monument removal What do monuments represent? Philadelphia’s Monument Lab project Who do the monuments on Monument Avenue honor? Paper and Clay Entries Donors choose What values and identities do they represent? ARTIST PRECEDENTS As big as your foot/fit in a shoebox, How can we design a monument that represents our personal values and Claes Oldenburg does not have to be figurative Melanie [Buffington’s] abridged research those of our city? Rachel Whiteread What makes a good hero? Gyula Pauer, Shoes on the Danube Memorial a supporting 8.5”x11” drawing short paragraph and provocative What is the difference between a monument and a memorial? in pencil only questions and articles on web What are 5 questions you should ask about your hero? What hero belongs next on Monument Avenue?

Written piece, printed on 8.5”x11” monumentlab.com Sketch your design for your monument in pencil on an 8.5”x11” sheet 3 paragraphs or 1 page or word count stumbling stones of paper biography of person? heroic traits of the Sketch as many times as you need to make sure the proportions and person? plan for this monument? details are accurate to your vision Write 3 paragraphs about your hero and the design choices you are making in your monument design description of monument/person, heroic traits, site plan and materials all supporting materials must include: full name, year, school, county

36 37 Monumental Youth Exhibition, the Branch Museum, 2018 left: Lee Monument, 1907, during the unveiling of the Davis Monument, Cook Collection, The Valentine 1907, during the unveiling of Davis Monument, left: Lee Monument,

38 39 Monumental Youth Exhibition, the Branch Museum

40 41 MONUMENTAL

Monument Avenue: General Demotion/General Devotion Monumental Youth nonprofit / community design center richmond virginia

Participate in Monumental Youth, a design What should competition for Richmond region high school students to design the next monument on be the next Monument Avenue. Winning entries will be displayed in a special exhibition at the Branch monument Museum of Architecture and Design 10 material scholarships are available for on Monument participating students and teachers. Two free Avenue? workshop series are available for students: November 9 and 16, from 3 to 6pm Six Points Innovation Center 3001 Meadowbridge Road, Richmond, VA experimental / interdisciplinary / vcuarts design studio experimental / interdisciplinary November 10 and 17, from 1 to 4pm The Mix, at the Science Museum of Virginia 2500 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA

Submissions due Decemeber 15, 2018 at midnight.

Visit www.monumentavenuegdgd.com/youth for entry, workshop, and exhibition details; [email protected] for inquiries

42 43 Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade Memorial Shane Neufeld and Kevin Kunstadt - - - RAMPED CONNECTION PARK FROM PARK TO EXHIBITION SPACE FROM PARK VTOWER MEMORIAL PLATFORMS NEW STREET MEMORIAL VIEWING LOCATED IN CENTER LOCATED TERRARCED VIEWING Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade Memorial Slave Trade Trans-Atlantic Our design spans the approximate 4,000 feet between existing monument to Robert E. Lee to the east and that off Stonewall Jackson Monument west. It is in essence a spatial timeline of data-set - recording the number people who embarked from (1516 - Slave Trade Africa to the Americas throughout entirety of Trans-Atlantic 1866). However this data is transfigured through our design into a path, park, and an reflection, and acknowledgement of a vastly important experiential space of memory, and shared history. our pro - Unlike the existing confederate statues that cast shadows throughout day, at night, bringing into focus the collective sum and posal illuminates Monument Avenue scale of the slave trade and transforming it into a singular phenomenological experi ence. On the scale of individual, each embarked person is represented abstractly as an aperture cut from a single bronze plate. Beneath each plate is light source that fills the apertures. The collective experience of 12.5 million points light is simultaneously chillingly factual yet also engaging, moving, and ultimately as transcendent the stars in the sky: a constellation as beacon, that guides us forward, out of darkness our clearer light. shared past, and into a brighter, In order to fabricate the memorial, we propose melting down bronze from exist ing monuments - as well from others across the country and reusing material to forge 86,000 separate half inch thick plates, measuring 1 foot by foot, each with 144 apertures that correspond to individuals. By using the old material and transforming we’re suggesting that we can overcome our past through re it into something new, sourcefulness and creativity. sourcefulness and creativity. Bookending the site to east, and replacing Robert E. Lee monument is a new memorial complex consisting of an exhibition space, a park and viewing platform Slavery memorial where visitors have the opportunity to look out upon Trans-Atlantic from above (elevate people - not statues). The platform, transparent and constructed of glass, steel and wood, functions as beacon - inserting itself a new wayfinding device The exhibition space is located underground beneath the park and within the city. Here, accessed by ramps that connect to the public park spanning Monument Avenue. the memorialized panel’s function is inverted, as they become skylights - permitting sunlight to access the hall below. Aerial view of Monument Avenue Aerial view of Rotary Park Night Day EXHIBITION SPACE / MUSEUM EXHIBITION SPACE ROTARY PARK ROTARY Concept sketch for Memorial Park Evening perspective of Memorial Park TOWER VIEWING YEAR 1570 1571 1572 1573 1574 24’ 1’-0” 12’ 1’-0” 1” DIA. 144 Lights 3,168 Lights One Light (Year is 1642) (Year (Single Bronze Panel) 12’ x 24’ Park Swatch - 22 Panels 12’ x 24’ Park TERRACED VIEWING Elevator (Year is 1642) (Year 3,168 Persons One Person 144 Persons Jurors’ Award for Scale and the People’s Choice Award for Scale and the People’s Jurors’ Award Long Section through Exhibition Space, Ramps and Park. - Viewing Tower Exterior Perspective - Exhibition Space beneath existing Interior Perspective rotary where Robert E. Lee Monument currently stands. Stairway connects visitors to all three levels of the design: where and Viewing Tower Exhibition Space, Rotary Park, entirety view the can stairs or elevator, taking visitors, upon of the Memorial. Diagram showing relationship of historical data to memorial design indicating relationship Hand drawn plan of Memorial Park and Green space. bewtween Lights, Pavers 1601 1602 1603 1604 1605 1606 1607 1608 1609 1610 1611 1612 1613 1614 1615 1616 1617 1618 1619 1620 1621 1622 1623 1624 1625 1626 1627 1628 1629 1630 1631 1632 1633 1634 1635 1636 1637 1638 1639 1640 1641 1642 1643 1644 1645 1646 1647 1648 1649 1650 1651 1652 1653 1654 1655 1656 1657 1658 1659 1660 1661 1662 1663 1664 1665 1666 1667 1668 1669 1670 1671 1672 1673 1674 1675 1676 1677 1678 1679 1680 1681 1682 1683 1684 1685 1686 1687 1688 1689 1690 1691 1692 1693 1694 1695 1696 1697 1698 1699 1700 1701 1702 1703 1704 1705 1706 1707 1708 1709 1710 1711 1712 1713 1714 1715 1716 1717 1718 1719 1720 1721 1722 1723 1724 1725 1726 1727 1728 1729 1730 1731 1732 1733 1734 1735 1736 1737 1738 1739 1740 1741 1742 1743 1744 1745 1746 1747 1748 1749 1750 1751 1752 1753 1754 1755 1756 1757 1758 1759 1760 1761 1762 1763 1764 1765 1766 1767 1768 1769 1770 1771 1772 1773 1774 1775 1776 1777 1778 1779 1780 1781 1782 1783 1784 1785 1786 1787 1788 1789 1790 1791 1792 1793 1794 1795 1796 1797 1798 1799 1800 1801 1802 1803 1804 1805 1806 1807 1808 1809 1810 1811 1812 1813 1814 1815 1816 1817 1818 1819 1820 1821 1822 1823 1824 1825 1826 1827 1828 1829 1830 1831 1832 1833 1834 1835 1836 1837 1838 1839 1840 1841 1842 1843 1844 1845 1846 1847 1848 1849 1850 1851 1852 1853 1854 1855 1856 1857 1858 1859 1860 1861 1862 1863 1864 1865 1866 1516 1520 1525 1526 1527 1532 1533 1534 1535 1539 1542 1545 1546 1547 1548 1549 1550 1551 1552 1553 1554 1555 1556 1557 1558 1559 1560 1561 1562 1563 1564 1565 1566 1567 1568 1569 1570 1571 1572 1573 1574 1575 1576 1577 1578 1579 1580 1581 1582 1583 1584 1585 1586 1587 1588 1589 1590 1591 1592 1593 1594 1595 1596 1597 1598 1599 1600 Year 400 324 359 1795 325 1389 359 718 359 50 374 3410 1233 1083 1168 6794 4195 2513 1436 359 1436 1077 359 1436 718 2531 1436 718 4157 1736 3935 2530 709 946 749 3573 1320 1504 1692 1123 3280 2655 2367 3030 416 14093 1077 9753 6987 9731 2872 4543 6802 7689 7529 6208 5378 7641 3952 8988 5628 14500 11900 13703 19030 18632 20867 18241 4510 5427 4333 5920 4033 3695 3929 6359 9197 6357 7641 6164 5923 4381 5625 8903 9873 18411 15375 21791 13456 11423 10789 12492 7127 8460 5110 3487 5460 8626 6015 6231 7072 10385 11416 9589 15676 9067 4106 3221 3128 6528 8896 5854 6543 2313 701 2880 3125 3227 3202 2656 3313 2444 4362 4258 5076 7473 4451 4706 4485 5928 13335 10202 6677 6741 8178 11452 8090 10464 8447 5961 7762 8494 10212 9619 11567 16018 18741 21850 16798 19764 15768 17331 17729 20912 15586 12117 8153 13738 15440 15196 14592 13208 15130 20075 30935 34633 35149 43692 30331 19975 23022 26746 19990 21654 28297 19031 25915 24947 25714 30936 38337 39542 38773 35878 40526 39405 35140 30286 34172 34601 55832 52107 56446 52769 50605 58830 49791 55315 46931 39462 48753 39180 44214 55330 50423 54084 57894 53091 56361 45307 64962 25808 26945 51053 50722 59905 61726 50993 58369 58171 58750 68854 49916 38181 49550 39838 50065 52596 50117 51638 75242 78003 86880 76678 71588 74588 78975 79281 76707 68889 83960 84920 73942 54692 49615 25569 28534 35860 44232 50991 91663 77372 74311 81432 84768 80200 91007 84587 82738 82132 57371 59422 57609 64709 63961 78172 76054 73035 88750 87838 77860 78519 88416 90586 37505 33958 61834 56111 61696 49750 52909 58058 78661 91562 88287 73391 69295 64614 78493 44539 55820 73950 84479 79579 83472 107268 77657 23117 19760 20272 29601 44374 58296 77269 82530 90198 63063 48457 37604 35801 42621 32920 20628 30179 54744 76649 41306 17614 10167 16918 13533 6203 8436 15295 17431 33814 26868 24139 14413 6627 4517 2197 851 Africa A project of Emory University. Trade: 1516-1866 Trade: Trans-Atlantic Slave Trans-Atlantic Total slaves Total embarked from

Historical data provided by Slavevoyages.org

MONUMENT AVENUE MONUMENT N BOULEVARD N Memorial Site Plan Scale: 1:1250 EXHIBITION SPACE VIEWING TOWER AND N MULBERRY ST N ROBINSON ST AVE N DAVIS ST STRAWBERRY N ALLISON ST N MEADOW ST

44 45 ThOughts On MA:GD/GD

So what happens if we flip the monuments and Students in the mOb Studio use discourse on their heads? This question spurred me design to reimagine the environments to closer inspection and engagement with General they live in and propose alternatives Demotion/General Devotion. to improve life in the city.

And I participated in at nearly all stages but wasn’t Discussions lead to drawings, models, always sure whether it was my conversation to have. posters and actions. And perhaps that is because it is a hard conversation to have. Young people are ready and willing to create new ways of communicating, I witnessed the conversation move from awkward ready to unearth layers of history, and sticky to profound and open. When this happens, and they want to see tangible work it is truly a collective entity, a chorus: championed that reveals fuller histories and restores by many voices, guided by a few fearless leaders/ equity in the built, historical, and cheerleaders/ punks. memorial landscape.

I feel so deeply grateful and madly hopeful when More discussions happen and the vote the conversation moves like this: From uncomfortable project grows, grants are written and Photo: Steven Casanova, Courtesy of VCUarts d and closed to vulnerable and fluid. From the early received and an advisory group is mObstudiO charettes to design an appendage to formed. change the meaning of the Lee Monument to the following public panel discussion amongst the posters High school students propose new of the outcomes. From working at Storefront, teaching monuments for Richmond. alongside the competition organizers and joining them as a designer and manager. From the expertise of A national competition sheds new light the mOb students to designing a poster that tips the on our old conversations and allows narrative. Richmond to step back and see new ideas, we gain perspective by opening Watching the tragedy in Charlottesville unfold, our minds and letting design show us ed watching the Mayor’s Commission stall with what could be. public forums. vot We build more conversation and a sense From presenting a syllabus to parading with mOb of a community where we can talk, students to rethink what monuments can be. From wonder, ponder, and honor the urgent sending posters to design and architecture and need we feel to move our city into planning programs nationwide, From meeting the light. monthly with the advisory board. From bringing the conversation local high schoolers. From paper mache Kristin Caskey memes to an exhibition at the Branch, From the expertise of historians and curators at the Valentine, From the architects, designers, artists, historians, citizens who thoughtfully submitted. From the jurors voted without whose expertise, we’d have no show. And from doing this thing, having the hard conversation, repeating this charette, reposing this question,

Tweaking it each time, fine-tuning the feedback loops. GD/GD Opening Exhibition at the Valentine Avenue: Monument

How can we best use design to have difficult conversations? How can we best use design to talk abut racism and justice? What about public art? Revisionist history? Humor? Public space, public ownership, and public representation?

Is a collective city identity possible? And how do we practice that? How is it reflected in our public spaces and stories? How will this exchange grow (or die) from here? Is this even our conversation to facilitate? Who else must we ask? Who else must be heard?

Adele Ball

46 47 Center For Productive Conversations PLAYLAB, INC. Archie Lee Coates IV, Franklin, Anya Shcherbakova, Jeff Phil Gibson, Dillon Kogle Jurors’ Award for Context Jurors’ Award

48 49 left to right: Camden Whitehead, John Moeser, Donna Dunay, Thomas Woltz, Elgin Cleckley The Jury Is In: MA: GD/GD with Jurors Gallery Talk

50 51 ThOughts On MA:GD/GD ThOughts On MA:GD/GD acquaintances have told me I always reflect on the incident that I believe launched The Monument Avenue GDGD process from on the origins of the project that they will never drive down monument — this national discussion?… debate?… uproar?… beginning to end was an enlightening and exciting my father drowned too much fear and pain * argument? It was a shooting in June of 2015, in case experience. What comes through most for me is the because he could not swim you forgot. We are always left to wonder in the wake power of design to do what the team set out to do – in waters where black babies they frighten me too of mass shootings, should we have seen the signs, start a conversation and add breadth and substance were not allowed. negative symbols could something have been done to prevent it. And to an entrenched either or mind set. he left my mother and too big ultimately what will we do to change it. Always the five kids damaged, too much heavy metal reactionary stance. GDGD, by embracing the complexities of context and to heal too high history, called on designers to lead this important the collateral wounds of racism. too realistic The cause for starting the debate aside, many places narrative of our city forward, by imagining bold ideas, too war have dealt with their confederate “paraphernalia” and envisioning alternative futures. on design and healing too many swiftly and deliberately. Sometimes after public richmond dwells discussion but also under the cover of night. Here For our city, this competition can serve as a new between north and south wounds might heal better in Richmond, in this nexus of confederate history, baseline, where we no longer are forced to imagine between white and black, when the words stop we tend to have a more deliberate approach. We the future of Monument Avenue simply with or without between poverty and privilege. ( usually hard words ) assemble commissions, form panels of experts and statues, and where we new ideas about what justice and objects begin to appear hold public conversations about the who the why can look like in our built environment moving forward. design has the remarkable ability — and the how to ask ourselves “what should we do?” to imagine what might be we’re sketching ideas Perhaps in contrast to the event that brought us here, Ryan Rinn as a way of delivering us colors are appearing intentional deliberation is a good thing. from what we were and have become. photoshopped people are sitting walking in design enables us to see pretend thoughtful spaces General Devotion General Demotion was born out of what an ideal might look like. we usually zoooooooooooom by the desire to ask the questions to a broader audience. community design allows A way, to ask the whole world, “what do you think a community to come together next we should do about the remnants of our confederate to agree and disagree might be advanced modeling history?” and to provide the creative space to discuss upon a community ideal. or and present the ideas. in our dialogue VR understanding and healing happens. and then maybe we are ready to build The voices heard through this process have been and instead of varied and plentiful and while they may NOT answer on small actions inspiring large actions zooooooooming the ultimate question of “what should we do?” they on june 17, 2015 we really find ourselves in places have provided a platform for us to consider deliberate a young man murdered nine parishioners feeling thinking smelling tasting seeing listening next steps instead of taking postures of reaction. at the charleston a.m.e. church. moving That’s the magic... it shook our country and inspired a dialogue. ( sensing ) the mOb studiO joined this dialogue + Burt Pinnock, FAIA with design. getting the work of their studio a little better inspired healing discussion. that discussion inspired * a national competition not too sure to reimagine monument avenue. why 68 entries provide a broader foundation we keep things around for moving forward that scare and hurt people and a model for civil, rational discussion about a path to healing. john malinoski on mulish patience and persistence the shaker’s had a saying. “never hurry, never rest.”

this is a model for the process of reimagining monument avenue.

this process will take a while. this process is not for the weak or weary. its hard work and if you stop, it is that much harder.

“never hurry, never rest”

camden whitehead 52 53 Local Archives Competition Partners Competition Jurors

The Valentine Storefront for Community Design Elgin Cleckley The Library of Virginia mOb Studio Assoc. AIA, NOMA, The City of Richmond Public The Valentine Assistant Professor of Architecture Library VCUarts and Design Thinking School of Cabell Library, VCU The Branch Museum of Architecture, University of Virginia The American Civil War Museum Architecture and Design and director of _mpathic design The Virginia Museum of History and Culture Advisory Board Donna Dunay The Virginia Foundation FAIA, Professor of Architecture, of the Humanities Adele Ball School of Architecture + Design Monument Avenue Commission Melanie Buffington Virginia Tech Kristin Caskey Bibliography Tamera Harris John Moeser Meg Hughes PhD, Professor Emeritus, Barbee, Matthew Mace. Race and Bill Martin L. Douglas Wilder School of Masculinity in Southern Memory: Burt Pinnock Government and Public Affairs, History of Richmond Virginia’s Ryan Rinn Program of Urban and Monument Avenue, 1948–1996. Suzanne Silitch Regional Studies and Planning Lexington Books, Lanham, MD, Sandra Wheeler Virginia Commonwealth University 2014. Camden Whitehead Michelle Joan Wilkinsom Campbell, Ben. Richmond’s Exhibition Sponsors PhD, Curator, Smithsonian Unhealed History. Brandylane Institution National Museum Publishers, Inc. 2012. National Endowment for the Arts of African American History Virginia Commonwealth University and Culture Tyler-Mcgraw, Marie. At the Falls: VCUarts and mOb Studio Richmond, Virginia, Its People. Anonymous Donors Thomas Woltz University of North Carolina Press, FALSA, Principal and Owner, 1994. Publication is funded by Nelson Byrd Woltz VCUarts, NEA Artworks, SFCD, Landscape Architects Driggs, Sarah, Richard Wilson the Valentine Museum, and Robert Winthrop. Richmond’s and the generosity of many donors mOb+Storefront Monument Avenue. The University 205 E Broad Street of North Carolina Press, 2001. Contents are the sole responsibility Richmond, Virginia 23219 of the authors and do not Edwards, Kathy, Esmer Howard, necessarily represent official views storefrontrichmond.org and Toni Prawl. Monument Avenue: of Virginia Commonwealth History and Architecture. Wash- University and/or the Council for Front cover: Kristin Caskey ington, DC: US Department of the Community Engagement. Back cover: Kim Linh Peters Interior Historic American Buildings Design: Sandra Wheeler Survey, 1992. November 2019 Richardson, Selden. Built By Blacks. The History Press, 2008.

Potterfield, Tyler. Nonesuch Place: A History of the Richmond Land- scape. The History Press, 2009.

Savage, Kirk. Standing Soldiers, Kneeling Slaves: Race, War, and Monument in Nineteenth-Century America. Princeton Architectural Press, 1999.

54 55 mOb studiO+stOrefront for cOmmunity design