Counterpublic has commissioned installations, artwork, and programs from over 60 artists. Of the projects included in the 2019 and 2023 editions of the triennial, 10 are permanently on view.
Permanent
One aspect of Counterpublic’s mission is to leave permanent inspiration and investment, owned by existing cultural and community organizations. Of the 36 commissions from the 2023 edition, a selection are permanent or will remain on view indefinitely. These include permanent works from four St. Louis artists: Damon Davis at CITYPARK and Brickline Greenway; Robert Green at Rudo Studio, Vincent Stemmler, donated to the National Building Arts Center, and Simiya Sudduth at 2311 South Jefferson Avenue.
Civic initiatives include the ongoing rematriation, preservation and support of Sugarloaf Mound in partnership with the Osage Nation and capacity building investments at The Griot Museum of Black History, including the donation of David Adjaye’s Asaase III, as well as a permanent signage project organized by Risa Puleo in relation to Jaune Quick-to-See Smith’s work. Jordan Weber’s Defensive Landscape, a series of sculptures and a regenerative earthwork, will be donated to the Peace Park/College Hill Community Land Trust and managed by the Green City Coalition.
Additional donations and acquisitions include Jaune Quick-to-See Smith’s two works, State Names Map: Cahokia and Trade Canoe: Osage Orange, both acquired by the St. Louis Art Museum, and Black Quantum Futurism’s Slower-Than-Light shrine, donated by the artists and Counterpublic to the George B. Vashon Museum of African American History.
Permanent Sites Map
Erased History Markers
In response to the work of artist Jaune Quick-to-See-Smith (Enrolled Salish, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Nation) and St. Louis’ State Streets Neighborhood, Counterpublic has created a series of Erased History Markers to be installed at eleven intersections where specific Native American Tribal Nations and the State names that displaced them meet, such as Osage Street and Missouri Avenue. Organized by Counterpublic 2023 curator Risa Puleo, each sign includes a brief description of the displacement of the Tribal Nation from that place, as well as links to current Tribal websites, additional treaty information, and Counterpublic’s website.
Intersections identified as part of this project are Osage & Missouri, Dakota & Minnesota, Chippewa & Minnesota, Chippewa & Wisconsin, Chippewa & Illinois, Winnebago & Wisconsin, Cherokee & Tennessee, Miami & Illinois, Potomac & Virginia, Miami & Ohio, and Miami & Indiana. These permanent signs aim to make apparent the histories of dispossession referenced by the intersection of street names in the State Streets neighborhood and are inspired by artist Jaune Quick-to-See Smith’s map painting commissioned by Counterpublic and newly acquired and now on view at the St. Louis Art Museum.
Counterpublic aims to connect art with generational change, and the Erased History Markers is one of several permanent commissions continuing to open throughout 2024. Working with private property owners, five of the signs have been installed and permissions are being sought for the remaining six intersections.
