Monuments and Memory

Iconoclasm and Urbanfallism

Abstract

This study aims to analyse the practices of iconoclasm and urbanfallism as forms of intervention in cultural heritage, with a view to questioning traditional notions of memory and identity. By demolishing or modifying monuments, artists and activists contest prevailing historical narratives and the underlying power relations, proposing alternative frameworks for understanding the past and the present. The objective of this research is to gain insight into the ways in which these practices, despite their controversial nature, contribute to the reconfiguration of urban space and the construction of alternative memories. The practice of iconoclasm, with historical roots in religion and politics, has increased in frequency in recent decades, driven by various social, political and cultural factors. The demolition of monuments, frequently linked to acts of protest and resistance, challenges the conventional notion of heritage, which is based on the preservation of memory and cultural identity. The concept of urbanfallism, in turn, serves to expand the discussion on the relationship between art, activism and urban space. By appropriating monuments and transforming them into platforms for expression, artists and activists call into question the authority of institutions and official narratives, proposing new ways of inhabiting and signifying public space. The research presents a critical analysis of these concepts, discussing their impact on memory and notions of cultural heritage. The research presents a critical analysis of the ways in which art and activism can transform monuments into spaces for debate and the construction of new identities, challenging official interpretations of history. Through case studies in Brazil and the Iberian Peninsula, it demonstrates how artists and activists can contribute to the construction of a more plural and inclusive memory by questioning the authority of institutions and dominant narratives. However, it is essential that the discussion of these practices is accompanied by a reflection on the limits of intervention in cultural heritage, seeking a balance between preservation and transformation.