"Ark of Return": The Permanent Memorial at the United Nations in Honour of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade (New York City)
Dublin Core
Title
"Ark of Return": The Permanent Memorial at the United Nations in Honour of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade (New York City)
Subject
Subject (Topic)
Antislavery movements--United States
Transatlantic Slave Trade
Middle Passage
Northeastern United States
Public art
Public sculpture
Antislavery movements--United States
Transatlantic Slave Trade
Middle Passage
Northeastern United States
Public art
Public sculpture
Subject (Object Type)
Commemorative sculpture
Commemorative sculpture
Description
The Art of Return asks visitors to reflect upon the legacy of the slave trade and the persistent problems of racism and bigotry. The ark includes three principal design elements.
According to the artist:
“The first element is a three-dimensional map inscribed on the interior of the memorial. This map highlights the African continent at its center and graphically depicts the global scale, complexity and impact of the triangular slave trade in "acknowledgment of the tragedy.
The second element is a full-scale human figure lying horizontally in front of a wall inscribed with images of the interior of a slave ship. This is meant to communicate and educate visitors on the physical conditions endured by the millions of African people transported under extreme conditions during the middle passage. The visitors are provided the opportunity to seriously "consider the legacy" of slavery's impact upon humanity.
The third element is a triangular reflecting pool which introduces water in a meditative, ritualistic and spiritual manner. Visitors are invited to pour libations or say a prayer in memory of the millions of souls that were lost "lest we forget" this monumental and historic tragedy.”
According to the artist:
“The first element is a three-dimensional map inscribed on the interior of the memorial. This map highlights the African continent at its center and graphically depicts the global scale, complexity and impact of the triangular slave trade in "acknowledgment of the tragedy.
The second element is a full-scale human figure lying horizontally in front of a wall inscribed with images of the interior of a slave ship. This is meant to communicate and educate visitors on the physical conditions endured by the millions of African people transported under extreme conditions during the middle passage. The visitors are provided the opportunity to seriously "consider the legacy" of slavery's impact upon humanity.
The third element is a triangular reflecting pool which introduces water in a meditative, ritualistic and spiritual manner. Visitors are invited to pour libations or say a prayer in memory of the millions of souls that were lost "lest we forget" this monumental and historic tragedy.”
Creator
Leon, Rodney
Source
Photographs by Renee Ater
Date
Public Unveiling: March 25, 2015
Contributor
UNESCO, the Permanent Memorial Committee of the United Nations; Member States of the United Nations
Relation
To watch a video of the memorial unveiling, click here.
Format
JPEG
Language
English
Type
Visual Arts-Sculpture
Coverage
United Nations Visitors Plaza. 1st Avenue and 46th Street. New York, NY 10017, United States
Medium
Marble
Bibliographic Citation
Rodney Leon, "The Ark of Return," Rodney Leon Architects. Accessed April 11, 2019, http://www.rodneyleon.com/the-ark-of-return
Rights Holder
Renée Ater
Citation
Leon, Rodney, “"Ark of Return": The Permanent Memorial at the United Nations in Honour of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade (New York City),” Contemporary Monuments to the Slave Past, accessed April 25, 2024, https://www.slaverymonuments.org/items/show/1137.