Volume One: Robert E. Lee Monument
The genesis collection from Blockchain Relics.
Hold A Piece Of History In Your Hands
The Robert E. Lee Monument in Richmond, Virginia stood as a symbol of the tumultuous times the United States was going through in 2020. Months of protests left the site covered in layers of graffiti and transformed the confederate monument into a communal meeting place for civil rights advocates. 3D Capture Artist, Terry Kilby, scanned the site a total of 4 times between June of 2020 and December of 2021. Of the four scans, two are going to national and state museums, one will remain in the artist’s private collection, and one is used for the basis of this NFT collection.
Historical Relevance
The Robert E. Lee Monument in Richmond, Virginia, was the first installation on Monument Avenue in 1890, and would ultimately be the last monument removed from the site. Before its removal on September 8, 2021, the monument honored Confederate Civil War General Robert E. Lee, depicted on a horse atop a large marble base that stood over 60-feet tall.
After the murder of George Floyd, the controversial monument was covered in graffiti, and many activists called for its removal. Ralph Northam, the Governor of Virginia, ordered the statue removed on June 4, 2020, but was blocked by a state court pending the outcome of a lawsuit. The Supreme Court of Virginia ultimately ruled on September 2nd that the restrictive covenants from 1887 and 1890 were no longer enforceable and the bronze sculpture was removed from its plinth six days later.
Cultural Significance
The events surrounding the Lee monument were broadcast around the world and covered by countless media outlets.
In October of 2020, The New York Times named the Lee monument “In its current state”, the #1 Most Influential Piece of American Protest Art Since WWII. National Geographic named a photo of the Lee monument the #1 photo of the year in its 2020 Year in Pictures issue.
EXPLORE THE COLLECTION
This WebXR app is an interactive experience that provides users with a sneak peek at what’s to come in the upcoming NFT collection. It can be viewed on any device, including VR headsets and mobile phones.
VIEW THE SOURCE SCAN
The graffiti-covered monument is a symbol of the nation’s anger and grief following George Floyd’s killing. Scanned on January 3rd, 2021, the monument was named the #1 Most Influential Work of American Protest Art Since WWII by The New York Times just months prior. It also graced the cover of National Geographic’s 2020 Year In Pictures edition as the photo of the year. Today the site stands bare as the statue and nameplates were removed in September of 2021 with the plinth disassembled and moved in December of the same year.