Pauline Adamek
MONUMENTS is a major, two-venue contemporary art exhibition running through May 3, 2026, at The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA and The Brick in Los Angeles. It explores the history and recent removal of public monuments—particularly Confederate statues—through 19 artists’ works.
The massive exhibition brings together a selection of decommissioned bronze monuments, including many formerly Confederate statues that have been removed from public spaces, along with newly commissioned and existing works by contemporary artists.
Over the course of modern human history, monuments have acted as vessels of collective memory, reflecting the values, heroic figures, and moments that societies choose to honor and preserve. Importantly, this complex show recontextualizes these once-public monuments by displaying them indoors alongside paintings, sculpture, photography, and multimedia works, inviting visitors to reflect on how monuments shape national identity, historical memory, and contemporary debates about race, power, and who is commemorated in the United States.
In essence, MONUMENTS isn’t simply about art objects. Rather, it’s a critical examination of history and memory, prompting dialogue about the legacy of Confederate symbols, how societies choose what to remember, and what stories public monuments tell about who we are.
Decommissioned monuments (historical sculptures):
These are large sculptural objects originally erected as public monuments to Confederate figures or related subjects and now displayed in gallery contexts as part of the show. They are borrowed from museums, cities, and historical collections:
- Confederate monuments from city and museum collections in:
- Baltimore, Maryland
- Montgomery, Alabama
- Charlottesville, Virginia
- Richmond, Virginia (including materials from a Lee monument)
- Raleigh, North Carolina
Contemporary artworks and artistic responses:
These are works by contemporary artists created for the show or borrowed, presented alongside the historical sculptures. They include installations, photography, sculpture, video, and other media by the following artists:
- Bethany Collins
- Abigail DeVille
- Karon Davis
- Stan Douglas
- Kahlil Robert Irving
- Cauleen Smith
- Kevin Jerome Everson
- Walter Price
- Monument Lab (site-specific work)
- Davóne Tines and Julie Dash
- Kara Walker
- Leonardo Drew
- Torkwase Dyson
- Nona Faustine
- Jon Henry
- Hugh Mangum (photography)
- Martin Puryear
- Andres Serrano
- Hank Willis Thomas
These contemporary works take a range of forms, from sculpture and installation to photography and video, and are interspersed with the historical monuments throughout the exhibition.
Courtesy of The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) and The Brick. Photo by Fredrik
Nilsen.
Pictured above is one of the most prominent sculptural works at The Brick — Kara Walker’s Unmanned Drone. This is a major sculptural reconfiguration of a Confederate statue removed from Charlottesville, Virginia, now presented as a standalone piece in that space.
Talking Tours
Talking Tours are a great way to connect to MONUMENTS. Each tour is designed to provide visitors with the opportunity to discuss, ask questions, and dive deeper into the works on view. Through these tours, our goal is to engage visitors, while expanding their appreciation and understanding of art.
MONUMENTS Talking Tours take place every Saturday and Sunday at 11:30am and 2pm.
How the Exhibition Is Organized
MONUMENTS is intentionally split between the two venues. If you plan to see MONUMENTS in its entirety, it’s best to visit both venues on the same trip or across two visits.
- The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA
This is the main space of the exhibition where the bulk of the monument displays and additional contemporary artworks are on view. This venue is part of The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (MOCA) and generally requires a paid ticket to enter. - The Brick
This is a second exhibition space that features select installations and works that complement the main exhibition. Admission here is free (though reservations are encouraged), and it’s located at a different address in Los Angeles.
Plan Your Visit
Tickets
- Tickets are required in advance and should be booked online.
- Prices are approximately:
- $18 for adults
- $10 for students and seniors
- Free for MOCA members and children under 12.
- A limited number of stand-by tickets may be available on-site, but advance reservations are recommended.
Special Free Entry Days
- On the first Friday of every month, admission to MONUMENTS is free (ticket still required) and hours are extended to 8:00 PM.
Tours and Programs
- MOCA often offers optional “talking tours” or curator-led sessions during exhibitions that can deepen your understanding of the works on view. These are usually offered at specific times on weekends and may require separate registration.
How Long to Plan
- Allocate about 1½ to 3 hours for your visit to fully see the exhibition and any optional guided tours.
Getting There
- The Geffen Contemporary is accessible by public transit; the Little Tokyo/Arts District Metro station is within walking distance.
- If you’re driving, there are parking garages and metered street parking nearby (no museum validation).
Nearby Options
If you’re planning a cultural day in Los Angeles, you can also visit:
- The Broad – a nearby contemporary art museum with free general admission, often paired with a MOCA visit,
- The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA Grand Avenue) – the main museum space with other exhibitions,
- Japanese American National Museum – for local history and culture. These are all walkable from downtown.
- Mercado La Paloma – market – 3655 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90007. Holbox is open Tuesday–Thursday and Sunday from 11:30 AM – 9 PM, and Friday–Saturday from 11:30 AM – 10 PM.
MONUMENTS
On view Oct 23, 2025 – May 3, 2026
MONUMENTS is co-organized by The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (MOCA) and The Brick. MONUMENTS is co-curated by Hamza Walker, Director, The Brick; artist Kara Walker; and Bennett Simpson, Senior Curator, MOCA; with Hannah Burstein, Curatorial Associate, The Brick; and Paula Kroll, Assistant Curator, MOCA.
The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA
152 North Central Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Hours:
Mon Closed
Tues Closed
Wed Closed
Thur 11am–5pm
Fri 11am–5pm
Sat 11am–6pm
Sun 11am–6pm
518 North Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90004
Hours:
Mon Closed
Tues Closed
Wed 11am–6pm
Thur 11am–6pm
Fri 11am–6pm
Sat 11am–6pm
Sun 11am–6pm
Admission
Admission to MONUMENTS and other special exhibitions at The Geffen Contemporary is $18 for adults; $10 for students with I.D. and seniors (+65); and free for children under 12 and jurors with I.D.
MOCA members always receive free admission to special exhibitions. Programs at The Brick are free and open to the public.
*Free First Fridays at The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA: Admission to MONUMENTS is free on the first Friday of every month, with extended opening hours from 11am until 8pm. Though admission is free, tickets are required and capacity is limited. Advance reservations are recommended.
Become a Member
https://moca.ticketapp.org/portal/pages/membership
Get tickets
https://moca.ticketapp.org/portal/product/319/events
