The Robert E. Lee Monument now stands as the only remaining Confederate statue on Richmond’s historic Monument Avenue.
Read on for My Modern Met’s exclusive interview.
Can you first share a bit about your background in video art?
I originally learned how to animate in college to create educational films about sacred geometry.
I found a band to take me on tour and transitioned my daily work into the live music industry.
I made new connections and started creating projection mapping for art installations at larger music festivals and public events.
COVID-19 has currently canceled all of the events I work for at least the rest of the year.
What inspired you to initially go out and do the first light projection?
I created two of these displays before lighting up the monument.
I had several close friends in the city be tear-gassed.
I was deeply disturbed by the video of George Floyds murder.
Several police officers could have stopped this death, but instead, they didnt do anything.
The Robert E. Lee monument is obviously one of the most famous and controversial Confederate monuments in the country.
Were you concerned that there could be some pushback from the state about these installations?
Growing up in Richmond and seeing the monuments was always kind of strange.
I remember talking to my Black friends in Richmond in high school about how they made them uncomfortable.
I was very unsure what the reaction of the police would be the first time we went out there.
I smiled when they drove by us the first time and completely ignored us.
When we projected the first night, I had no idea this would go on for 40+ more days.
For example, when we started, we were using a small generator.
Since then we have switched to a 1000W inverter running off my car.
There was about a week where the state police were showing up to clear out the park after sundown.
We moved to private property and projected from an off-center angle to not be in their way.
What has the reaction been to the work?
The reaction of the public around the monument was initially very sad and beautiful.
I think everyone who wanted the monument re-contextualized was happy to see it in this way.
I received almost all positive feedback with face to face interactions out on the monument.
The only real pushback I have received has been from trolls on the internet.
I was expecting a reaction, but not worldwide!
Let’s just say that 2020 hasnt been a typical year!
How has the project grown since that initial evening?
We grew the theme.
From what started off as a memorial to police violence has now become a theme of Black empowerment.
I initially dragged my longtime friend Alex Criqui out there with me as an extra hand.
As the project continued, he started curating and creating the content with me.
We have the attitude that the statue has cast dark energy towards Black people in this space since 1890.
We started projecting historical Black figures like Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, W.E.B.
Id like to continue the projections until the statue is removed.
Can you tell us about theprints you have for saleand where the proceeds will go?
We are launching more prints in the very near future.
Each will benefit several different groups around Richmond and Virginia.
We have a rainbow print benefitingDiversity, a group in Richmond who helps the LGBTQ+ community.
