We

Artist: Nikki Pike of Denver, CO

Artist statement: WE consists of a series of live performances and sculpture by Colorado-based cultural laborers, both of which are housed on a pedestal meant to hold a historical monument. On the opening night of the Art on the Streets exhibit, this platform is used as a public stage to acknowledge underrepresented people in the cultural labor force. Following these performances, a sculpture is placed atop the plinth that reads “WE the PRIVILEGED.” The sculpture references Robert Indiana’s widely recognized text-based sculpture LOVE, as well as the Preamble to the United States Constitution. By changing “we the people” to “we the privileged,” the artist asks the viewer to ponder the power dynamics associated with traditional monuments.

Note: Nikki Pike’s WE was commissioned in 2019 by Black Cube Nomadic Art Museum and the Denver Theatre District as part of a wider project Temporary Monuments to Denver. The project was conceived and curated by Black Cube, and co-produced with the Denver Theatre District.