Introducing the Series with Kirk Savage

This first episode of "Reparative Histories of Art and Architecture" features Kirk Savage, Dietrich Professor in Pitt's HAA department and one of this project's Principal Investigators. Dr. Savage specializes in Art of the United States, Public Art, and Memory Studies, with a focus on the intersections between public monuments and social justice. Through the project's guiding questions, Dr. Savage reflects on his work inside and outside academia, emphasizing the importance of initiating conversations about the influence of public monuments. Additionally, Dr. Savage explains the RHAA project and discusses the process of open inquiry that will continue in subsequent episodes.  Key Topics: 2:37 Kirk explains how social justice emerged as a priority with inspirations such as Angela Davis and his mentor, Paula Fass, through his childhood and early career. 7:42 Kirk delves into explaining the role of social justice in his work through his publication Standing Soldiers, Kneeling Slaves, interdisciplinary studies with CAA and the American Studies Association, and projects he has been involved in (Monument Lab, MOMUNMENTS exhibition with artist Kara Walker, and Beyond Granite: Pulling Together). Savage, Kirk. Standing Soldiers, Kneeling Slaves: Race, War, and Monument in Nineteenth-Century America, New Edition. Princeton University Press, 2018. 32:47 Kirk Savage describes RHAA 41:00 Kirk Savage shares his perspective on advancing social justice in the face of presentism and/or anarchism, using the impacts of another one of his publications, Monument Wars, as an example of his own experience. Savage, Kirk. Monument Wars: Washington, D.C., the National Mall, and the Transformation of the Memorial Landscape. University of California Press, 2009. With questions and comments, please contact us via email at [email protected]. Show notes written by Allison Naydan Music by Jacob Napier