Replacing the Monument
Replacing the Monument is a public participatory performance where participants are invited to get onto the pedestal located at the park on South Street between Hollis Street and Barrington Street. This temporary action will be a way to replace the colonial monument that previously resided there with the real bodies of people from/or settlers to K’jipuktuk. // Replacing the Monument est une performance participative publique où le public est invité à monter sur le piédestal situé dans le parc de la rue South Street, entre les rues Hollis et Barrington. Cette œuvre activiste temporaire sera un moyen de remplacer le monument colonial qui y résidait auparavant par les corps réels de personnes originaires de K’jipuktuk ou ceux de colons établis à K’jipuktuk.
The word monument comes from the greek mnemosynon and latin moneo 'monere,' meaning memory or reminder. Monuments are meant to represent historical figures from the past, but when these figures were violent and oppressive they act as negative reminders and often reiterate white supremacist ideals in the present. This way, monuments become a sort of toxic iconicity. They are attempting to relive history, but whose history?
Replacing the Monument is a public participatory performance in which participants are invited to get onto the pedestal located at the park on South Street between Hollis Street and Barrington Street, sometimes referred to as Peace and Freedom Park. This temporary action will be a way to replace the colonial monument that previously resided at the park with the real bodies of people from/or settlers to K’jipuktuk. One may gain agency through this action by bringing awareness to their own narratives, and therefore replacing those of colonial figures and giving the park a new meaning through community-building action.
The statue previously located at the park was taken down on January 30, 2018, after many local activists, organizers, and supporters fought hard through rallies and community organization. Removing monuments from the public eye is necessary to stop celebrating figures who have caused historical and epistemic harm.
