As part of the annual Expo Chicago’s contemporary and modern art showcase, artist Brendan Fernandes’ sculptural installation, New Monuments | Chicago surrounds the General John Alexander Logan Monument in Chicago’s Grant Park. Made of scaffolding, this structure symbolically marks the statue as “in transition,” revisiting the complex history of its likeness, General Logan—a nineteenth-century figure who initially worked to prohibit Black people from settling in Illinois, but who later advocated for the abolishment of slavery and supported African American rights.
Fernandes will activate his temporary installation with a durational performance that includes light, sound, and a cast of dancers from Chicago’s BIPOC and Queer communities. Taking place after dark, the monument is illuminated to reveal the dancers’ bodies forming physical expressions of tableaux, incorporating elements of lifting, carrying, and contact improvisation. The performance aims to create a vibrant gathering space that expands narratives of hope for public sites to better reflect the communities they serve.
Audiences are asked to write down their visions for a monument that represents inclusivity on a custom tag. Tags will be available on site during public hours at Black Cube’s shipping container, and will be collected and displayed to illustrate the plurality of voices that make up the City of Chicago.
Artist Brendan Fernandes, right, points to his sculptural installation titled, “New Monuments | Chicago,” that surrounds the General John Alexander Logan Monument before a durational dance performance at the monument in Grant Park Friday, April 12, 2024, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
A sculptural installation titled “New Monuments | Chicago,” by artist Brendan Fernandes surrounds the General John Alexander Logan Monument in Grant Park Friday, April 12, 2024, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Dancers ascend the steps to the General John Alexander Logan Monument, as part of a durational performance in a sculptural installation surrounding the monument by artist Brendan Fernandes titled, “New Monuments | Chicago,” in Grant Park Friday, April 12, 2024, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
A man takes selfie photographs in front of a group of dancers ascending the steps to the General John Alexander Logan Monument, as part of a durational performance in a sculptural installation surrounding the monument by artist Brendan Fernandes titled, “New Monuments | Chicago,” in Grant Park Friday, April 12, 2024, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Artist Brendan Fernandes, right, watches a durational performance by dancers in his sculptural installation surrounding the General John Alexander Logan Monument titled, “New Monuments | Chicago,” in Grant Park Friday, April 12, 2024, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Dancers ascend the steps to the General John Alexander Logan Monument, as part of a durational performance in a sculptural installation surrounding the monument by artist Brendan Fernandes titled, “New Monuments | Chicago,” in Grant Park Friday, April 12, 2024, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Dancer Lieana Sherry, center, performs in a sculptural installation titled, “New Monuments | Chicago,” by artist Brendan Fernandes, that surrounds the General John Alexander Logan Monument in Grant Park Friday, April 12, 2024, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Dancers approach the General John Alexander Logan Monument, as part of a durational performance in a sculptural installation surrounding the monument by artist Brendan Fernandes titled, “New Monuments | Chicago,” in Grant Park Friday, April 12, 2024, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Dancer Lieana Sherry, center, performs in a sculptural installation titled, “New Monuments | Chicago,” by artist Brendan Fernandes, that surrounds the General John Alexander Logan Monument in Grant Park Friday, April 12, 2024, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Dancers Katlin Michael Bourgeois (cq), left, and Lieana Sherry (cq) perform in a sculptural installation titled, “New Monuments | Chicago,” by artist Brendan Fernandes, that surrounds the General John Alexander Logan Monument in Grant Park Friday, April 12, 2024, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Dancers ascend the steps to the General John Alexander Logan Monument, as part of a durational performance in a sculptural installation surrounding the monument by artist Brendan Fernandes titled, “New Monuments | Chicago,” in Grant Park Friday, April 12, 2024, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Dancer Michelle Reid performs in a sculptural installation titled, “New Monuments | Chicago,” by artist Brendan Fernandes, that surrounds the General John Alexander Logan Monument in Grant Park Friday, April 12, 2024, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Dancer Ashley Rivette performs in a sculptural installation titled, “New Monuments | Chicago,” by artist Brendan Fernandes, that surrounds the General John Alexander Logan Monument in Grant Park Friday, April 12, 2024, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
David Sanchez ties a tag with his thoughts on visions for a monument that represents inclusivity before viewing a sculptural installation titled, “New Monuments | Chicago,” by artist Brendan Fernandes that surrounds the General John Alexander Logan Monument in Grant Park Friday, April 12, 2024, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
An attendee reads an information wall and biography of artist Brendan Fernandes about his sculptural installation titled, “New Monuments | Chicago,” that surrounds the General John Alexander Logan Monument before a durational dance performance at the monument in Grant Park Friday, April 12, 2024, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
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