News Summary
Artist V.L. Cox will present her installation ‘End Hate’ at the Lincoln Memorial, addressing social injustice and discrimination. Featuring doors labeled with discriminatory phrases, it highlights the harsh realities faced by marginalized communities. The installation aims to provoke dialogue about human rights and challenge viewers to confront uncomfortable truths. It stands as a potent reminder of the ongoing fight for equality. This impactful project is a response to legislation aimed at permitting discrimination and seeks to foster unity and healing.
Washington, D.C. – Artist V.L. Cox is set to unveil her powerful installation, “End Hate,” at the Lincoln Memorial on September 13, 2023. The installation will be on display from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and aims to address the ongoing issues of discrimination and social injustice that affect marginalized communities.
The “End Hate” installation features a series of doors, each marked with discriminatory phrases including “Whites Only,” “Colored Only,” “LGBT Only,” “Immigrant Only,” and a newly included “Disabled Only” door. Each of these doorways represents a different form of social exclusion, serving as a stark reminder of the various injustices that have been inflicted upon numerous groups throughout history.
At the end of the installation, there is a door labeled “Human Beings,” crafted with 24-karat gold and secured with chains, symbolizing the denial of humanity faced by people from marginalized backgrounds. This central piece seeks to encapsulate the harsh reality of the ongoing fight for equality and human rights, highlighting the need for change and the acknowledgment of painful historical narratives.
The “End Hate” project originated as a direct response to Arkansas House Bill 1228, proposed in 2015, which could have permitted discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals under the pretext of religious beliefs. This initiative galvanized V.L. Cox to create a work that not only showcases societal issues but also embodies a call for unity and healing amidst division.
Cox’s installation comes with a clear goal: to stimulate dialogue around human rights and the legacy of discrimination. It aims to challenge viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about history and society, thereby fostering an environment where healing and justice can flourish.
The Lincoln Memorial itself has a storied history as a site for reflection on democracy and unity, making it a fitting venue for this thought-provoking installation. The inscriptions on the memorial, which emphasize the principles of government by the people, resonate strongly with the themes of accountability and truth that Cox wishes to promote through her work.
V.L. Cox’s previous exhibitions include showcases at notable cultural institutions such as The LGBT Center in New York City and the Virginia Holocaust Museum in Richmond. Her impactful artwork has garnered recognition, demonstrated by her receiving the Distinguished Alumni Award from Henderson State University in 2023. This honor signifies not only her artistic accomplishments but also her commitment to advocating for social justice through the medium of art.
The “End Hate” installation is poised to engage a broad audience, inviting them to reflect on their own unconscious biases and the collective responsibility toward creating a more inclusive society. It serves both as a reminder of the history of discrimination and as a call to action, urging individuals to promote justice and equity for all.
As the installation approaches, anticipation builds over its potential to make a significant impact on those who visit the Lincoln Memorial. The event invites everyone to confront the past and present realities of discrimination and inspires them to contribute to a more compassionate and just world.
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Additional Resources
- Arkansas Times: V.L. Cox’s End Hate Installation
- Washington Post: Lincoln Memorial Visitor Area
- PR Newswire: Lincoln Memorial Easter Sunrise Service
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Lincoln Memorial
- Google Search: Lincoln Memorial
Author: STAFF HERE WASHINGTON DC
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