Shaping the Past
July 31 - September 18,2021
"July 31 will mark the opening of the Shaping the Past Exhibition, a project developed in partnership between the Goethe-Institut and the Philadelphia-based artist/activist collective Monument Lab. In the wake of the urgent social justice demonstrations that swept the country last year, Shaping the Past facilitated a transnational exchange program bringing artists and activists together in dialogue to highlight ongoing critical memory interventions in sites and spaces, and in particular, monuments, in North America and Germany. This collaboration produced innovative models for how we might memorialize the past, create dialogue, and strengthen democracy through public spaces across the globe, through a lens of anti-racism, feminism and a generally more inclusive framework. In addition, the Goethe Pop Up Houston gave out several small grants to local artists that resulted in the creation of a number of community-based art projects, including concerts and flower planting projects, among others. To mark both the work of the Monument Lab and the Houston projects, Goethe Pop Up Houston will host a poster exhibition of the Shaping the Past program at the (post-pandemic) reopening of Project Row Houses on July 31st. Project Row Houses will also host a video displaying the work of the Houston-based artists over the last year with images and interviews highlighting that work. In addition to the exhibition at Project Row Houses, Shaping the Past will also be on display at the Station Museum of Contemporary Art through a series of large outdoor murals while the remaining portion of the exhibition will be on display at the Goethe Pop Up Houston Gallery which will be open for public viewing. The exhibition, which is free, will run from July 31 until September 18. As part of the exhibition, there will also be talks, music and other events with dates tbd. ### The Goethe-Institut is the cultural institute of the Federal Republic of Germany with a global reach. With 157 institutes in 98 countries, it promotes knowledge of German abroad, encourages international cultural exchange and conveys an image of contemporary Germany. Our cultural and educational programs encourage intercultural dialogue and enable cultural involvement. With our network of Goethe-Instituts, Goethe Centers, Pop-Ups, cultural societies, we are partners for all who actively engage with Germany and its culture, working independently and without political ties. Visit our country portals for the USA, Canada, and Mexico to find out more and find us on social media. All inquiries may be directed to program-washington@goethe.de. Monument Lab is an independent public art and history studio based in Philadelphia that cultivates and facilitates critical conversations around the past, present, and future of monuments. As a studio and curatorial team, Monument Lab pilots collaborative approaches to unearthing and reinterpreting histories. This includes citywide art exhibitions, site-specific commissions, participatory research initiatives, a national fellows program, a web bulletin and podcast, and a workshop series for municipal and cultural officers. Contact Monument Lab at info@monumentlab."
