ARH 301: Introduction to Visual Arts

Writing Assignment 2

The University South Mall once displayed the statues of Robert E. Lee, Albert Sidney

Johnston, John Reagan, and James Stephen Hogg. When they were removed in early August,

President Fenves stated that while it is imperative that UT preserve and study history, the parts of

history which run counter to the University’s core values should not be displayed on pedestals.

The most notable difference in context between a public display of a statue and a statue

found in a museum. A statue displayed in a museum creates a feeling of history. When a person

sees a statue in a museum, he can admire the values which his ancestors held, and see them in

their truest sense. On the other hand, when a statue is displayed on a pedestal, that statue tends to

convey what a society values in this present time. This is to say that when a work of art (such as

a statue) is displayed so that we may venerate the past, the themes of this work reflect the

customs of the people who put the statue there to begin with. By consequence, if this statue is

still displayed in an honorable manner, the current people also hold the statue’s ancient values to

be their own.

In my opinion, leaving the plinths empty is symbolic of the University’s decision to learn

from history and show justice for the wrongs of previously pro-Confederate policies. Leaving

these plinths empty also shows that they intend to adopt a different set of values. What these

values might be is still up for debate, but it’s important that the university shows their intentions

to change.

If they choose to put up different statues, I don’t believe that they should be dedicated to

any person. It is always going to be controversial to make a statue of a person in order to honor
them. Without a doubt, every single person in human existence has sinned. Because of this

nobody deserves a statue.

Any monument which they put up should be representative of a struggle or a core value.

The Statue of Liberty is a good example of this. The sculpted woman isn’t a person who lived in

history, yet she represents the hallmark of the United States: freedom. Another example of this

type of monument has been shown in class. Vojin Bakić’s Monument to the revolutionary

victory of the people of Slavonia (1968) does not display any people, yet it represents the

struggle for a value which a population held dearly.

Ultimately, I believe that any monument which they decide to place on the plinths should not be

a decision made only by a board of trustees. The values which the University stands for should

be a choice which the students make together with faculty and staff.