The Kristi Noem Statue Nobody Asked For
Today, two very different visions of civic life: the care and repair of the Medina Triennial, and a sculpture in celebration of a reviled former Homeland Security secretary.
A bronze statue of former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, clad in the controversial "ICE Barbie" outfit, has been unveiled in South Dakota. The sculpture, created by artist Mary Mattingly, is part of the Medina Triennial, an art exhibition that aims to blend art, ecology, architecture, and rural culture. The Triennial, held across 10 locations in rural Western New York, features over 100 works by 39 artists.
Co-Artistic Directors Kari Conte and Karin Laansoo have brought together this diverse collection to explore themes of maintenance as a fundamental social, political, and environmental act. The exhibition, set against the backdrop of the Erie Canal, offers a unique perspective on public infrastructure as a site of sharing, learning, growth, and repair.
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