Documentary film by Frederic Leitzke about the project “Monumental Shadows – Rethinking Colonial Heritage”, Berlin 2021.

“Monumental Shadows – Rethinking Colonial Heritage”

A participatory project on public monuments reexamining and transforming the shadows cast by colonial figures into the present.

Even though more and more European countries are beginning to come to terms with their colonial history, the prevailing culture of remembrance is darkened by deep shadows. Former colonizing and colonized regions are linked together by a complex and violent past that reverberates into the present. The art project “Monumental Shadows” explores the culture of remembrance critically and deals with monuments that continue to inscribe and reiterate the colonial logic in public space.

Paper molding of the Bismarck statue, Berlin 2021. Photo: Raisa M. Galofre Cortés

In a combination of artistic collaboration, thematic debate, and public discussion, the project makes visible connection between colonialism and contemporary racism. Within the framework of “Monumental Shadows”, a series of seven artistic paper molds of historical monuments in European cities is planned. Backdropped by the infamous “Congo Conference” (1884/85 in Berlin), these monuments are entangled with the European colonization and division of Africa. They play a significant role in shaping the national identity for countries that participated in the conference and to this day continue to benefit from it.

The selected monuments and the represented historical figures are still positively portrayed or even glorified in the historiography of their respective countries (and beyond). By publicly commemorating these figures, the colonial exploitation and imperialist atrocities for which they were responsible are concealed, downplayed, or glossed over. On the one hand, their active participation and facilitation of colonialism remains invisible to the general public, while on the other hand, their past actions cast long-lasting shadows over countless lives to this day, in the form of structural racism and everyday inequalities.

Intervention by Various & Gould in collaboration with Colonial Neighbours (SAVVY Contemporary), Berlin 2021. Photo: Raisa M. Galofre Cortés

Using a technique based on papier-mâché, the monument is temporarily covered with thin, adhesive layers of paper, which, however, do not stick to the statue itself. After several days of teamwork, a three-dimensional paper shell is created. During the entire working process, active dialogue with visitors and passer-by is an essential part of the project. Once the paper shell has dried, it can be opened and removed from the statue.

The aim of the project is to demonumentalize these monuments by symbolically knocking them off their pedestals and charging them with new meanings. In the visual design of the paper molds, we address the respective monument and its colonial history. Through the lightness and malleability of the paper, their transience becomes visible.

Performance by Thomias Radin with Natisa Exocée Kasongo, Jumoke Adeyanju and Delawhere, Berlin 2021. Photo: Raisa M. Galofre Cortés

Subsequently, the resulting molds are transformed by artists in urban performances through which the paper fragments become tangible. This shows: History is not static, and we are all part of it.

Our concern is to raise and strengthen the public awareness of the on-going consequences of the colonial era. The fundamental change and multiplication of perspectives are the essential steps to disrupt the one-dimensionality of a white hegemony in Eurocentric historiography. It is long overdue that today’s collective memory work includes the experiences and voices of BIPOC, which have so often been silenced or ignored until now.

First iteration: Berlin

“Monumental Shadows Berlin” is an artistic exploration of Germany’s colonial heritage and current culture of remembrance. The project ran from August to the end of October 2021 in Berlin and was divided into four parts, so-called “Shadows”. In different formats, the participating artists and speakers questioned the effects of colonialism to the present day.

The starting point is the experience that German colonialism is often played down in public discourse. It thus lies in the shadows for many people and at the same time casts a long shadow over the lives of many.

The project was initiated by artist duo Various & Gould and developed in cooperation with Colonial Neighbours a project by SAVVY Contemporary.