Debunk myths. Debate opinions. Eat hot dogs.
What makes something public art, and when does it cross the line into becoming a monument? Who gets a pedestal or a plaque, and who gets left out of the story altogether? This March, Alexandra Hatcher from the Hatlie Group breaks down the difference between public art and monuments, and why that distinction is anything but neutral.
At this installment of Hot Dogs & Hot Takes on History, Alexandra Hatcher from Hatlie Group (for her second appearance in this series!) pokes at the politics hiding in plain sight across our public spaces. From splashy national monuments meant to inspire unity (or, at least, obedience) to the subtler signals embedded in statues, commemorative markers, and memorial landscapes, Alex breaks down the difference between public art and monuments, and why that distinction is anything but neutral.
Then, things get local. What exactly are Calgary’s monuments saying when no one’s reading the plaque? Whose values are being elevated, whose histories are being flattened, and which stories are being politely ignored? With a sharp eye and more than a few spicy takes, Alex invites us to take another look at some very familiar landmarks around Calgary and ask whether these monuments reflect our city or just its old comfort zones.
Come for the hot dogs and join the conversation about power, memory, and the urban landscape we build when deciding whose stories to commemorate in public.