The Walker Art Center bought the artwork Scaffold to include for the 2017 expansion and reopening of its Sculpture Garden. The sculpture raised considerable controversy as it was being installed, and when the Garden officially reopened, Scaffold was gone.
The two-story tall sculpture included seven different historic gallows; it was supposed to be a commentary on capital punishment. However, the sculpture’s most prominent feature was a gallows representing the one used to hang 38 Dakota men in Mankato in the wake of the 1862 Dakota-U.S. War — the largest mass execution in U.S. history. Minnesota is Dakota homeland. Neither the artist nor the Walker thought to ask Dakota people for their reaction.
As Scaffold was being erected, Dakota people and their allies protested the artwork. The Walker and the artist Sam Durant both issued public apologies for not being aware of how this would affect the Dakota community. The Walker agreed to remove the sculpture following mediated talks with Dakota elders.
The wood from the sculpture was given to the Dakota people. Months after the controversy calmed down, Olga Viso resigned as Walker’s executive director. The Walker committed to seek institutional changes so this kind of decision doesn’t happen again.
The Walker began discussions with Dakota artists about a piece of artwork either to replace Scaffold or to exhibit elsewhere on the Center’s campus. As of early 2019, the Walker began taking proposals from indigenous artists.
The issue of cultural appropriation is not unique to the Walker. Many institutions lack diverse voices in leadership that could help flag problems and be more inclusive in decision making.
Dakota leaders have organized a group called Oyate Hotanin, or Indigenous Estate, a community response to Scaffold and multiple incidents of invisibility and disregard of Native artists, narratives and images. According to its Facebook page: “We are working to host regular artistic events and imbed community conversations in these events to develop a movement in Indian country that supports a new era of art, healing and change.”
Here are previous Healing Minnesota Stories blogs on Scaffold, and links to other media coverage to provide more background and details:
Healing Minnesota Stories Blogs
Nov. 14, 2017: Viso Resigns from Walker, Other News and Events
Nov. 5, 2017: Dakota Elders Calling on the Walker Art Center to Create an American Indian Advisory Council
July 7, 2017: Walker’s Latest Controversy with Native American Community Members: How Will it Embrace the Moment?
June 21, 2017: Reflections on “Scaffold”: Artistic Freedom, the Son of Sam, and Repentance
June 11, 2017: Sen. Klobuchar Weighs In on “Scaffold”; Trump Budget Hurts Indian County
June 9, 2017: Guest Blog on “Scaffold”: A Sacred Call for Deconstructing Oppression
June 6, 2017: Dakota Elders Put Ceremonial Burning of “Scaffold” Wood on Hold to Build Consensus
June 5, 2017: Applause for Dakota Elders’ Leadership in Taking Down “Scaffold”; Questions Remain about Cultural Appropriation
June 2, 2017: … And “Scaffold” Came Tumbling Down
June 1, 2017: Will Walker Embrace Institutional Changes in the Wake of “Scaffold” Controversy?
May 31, 2017: Please Attend Ceremonial Deconstruction of “Scaffold” at the Walker Sculpture Garden, Friday at 2 p.m.
May 30, 2017: After Dismantling a Sculpture in Wake of Protests, Walker Must Lead Effort to Dismantle Inequity
May 29, 2017: “Scaffold” Sculptor Seems to Contradict Himself
May 29, 2017: “Scaffold” Sculptor Apologizes to Dakota People
May 29, 2017: Chief Arvol Looking Horse’s Statement on Walker’s “Scaffold”: Walk Towards Peace … Take Down the Sculpture
May 29, 2017: Walker Delays Sculpture Garden Reopening, Leaving Space for Mediation with Dakota Elders
May 29, 2017: Dakota Elders Call Dakota Community Meeting to Discuss Walker Art Center’s “Scaffold” Sculpture
May 28, 2017: Walker Art Center Will Remove Scaffold Sculpture, Dialogue with Dakota Elders to Proceed
May 27, 2017: Dakota Elders to Walker Art Center: Tear Down That Scaffold
Media Coverage
Star Tribune
- Walker director admits to pain of ‘learning in public’ (June 6, 2017)
- ‘I take full responsibility,’ Walker director says of ‘Scaffold’ controversy (June 5, 2017)
- With prayers, drums and chainsaws, dismantling of ‘Scaffold’ begins (June 3, 2017)
- Commentary: ‘Scaffold’ may have inspired others to think about injustice (June 2, 2017)
- Commentary: Ideas about ‘art’ sometimes cause real damage to people (June 2, 2017)
- Where the Walker went wrong: Eight questions posed by the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden controversy (June 2, 2017)
- ‘Scaffold’ sculpture to be dismantled, then burned in a Dakota-led ceremony (June 1, 2017)
- ‘Let it burn’: U.S. art critics respond to the Walker’s takedown of ‘Scaffold’ (June 1, 2017)
- Commentary: Let ‘Scaffold’ stand, as profound art and truthful if painful education (May 31, 2017)
- AP Story: Museum: Gallows-like sculpture to be dismantled, then burned (May 31, 2017)
- House members decry ‘Scaffold’ as Dakota elders meet about it (May 31, 2017)
- Commentary: After dismantling a sculpture in wake of protests, Walker must lead effort to dismantle inequity (May 30, 2017)
- Walker Art Center postpones sculpture garden opening after ‘Scaffold’ protests (May 30, 2017)
- Read artist Sam Durant’s full statement on ‘Scaffold’ Controversy (May 29, 2017)
- After outcry and protests, Walker Art Center will remove ‘Scaffold’ sculpture (May 28, 2017)
- AP: Minneapolis art museum will remove gallows-like sculpture (May 28, 2017)
- Walker Art Center director regrets not discussing ‘difficult’ new sculpture with American Indians (May 27, 2017)
- More than the rooster is new at the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden (May 27, 2017)
Pioneer Press
- Walker scaffold sculpture will be dismantled, burned at Fort Snelling (May 31, 2017)
- ‘Scaffold’ controversy delays reopening of Minneapolis Sculpture Garden (May 30, 2017)
- Walker Art Center to remove sculpture garden piece offensive to some American Indians (May 27, 2017)
MPR
- What we can learn from ‘Scaffold’ and similar controversies (June 5, 2017) (51 minute panel discussion)
- Sculptor, director reflect on the ‘Scaffold’ experience (June 5, 2017)
- Workers make quick progress dismantling ‘Scaffold’ at Walker (June 4, 2017)
- Speeches, a ceremony, and ‘Scaffold’ starts to come down (June 2, 2017)
- ‘Scaffold’ artist vows to never erect sculpture again (June 1, 2017)
- Counter Stories: Separation ordinance and Walker’s ‘Scaffold’ installation (May 31, 2017)
- Walker Art Center’s ‘Scaffold’ to be dismantled, burned (May 31, 2017)
- Walker to announce ‘Scaffold’ fate Wednesday (May 31, 2017)
- Why ‘Scaffold’ struck such a raw nerve (May 30, 2017)
- Listen: Dakota community ponders how to remove Walker sculpture (May 30, 2017)
- Walker Art Center’s sculpture garden to reopen later, following ‘Scaffold’ controversy (May 29, 2017)
- Walker Director says ‘Scaffold’ should be dismantled (May 27, 2017)
- When art offends (May 26, 2017)
- How the Walker’s sculpture garden will grow (Jan. 21, 2016)
MinnPost
- ‘Scaffold’ comes down; the M to start building (June 6, 2017)
- The ‘Scaffold’ controversy’s evolution; Sheryl Sandberg book talk at the Fitz (June 1, 2017)
- Walker’s ‘Scaffold’ to be dismantled, burned (June 1, 2017)
- Walker delays reopening of sculpture garden in wake of ‘Scaffold’ controversy (May 30, 2017)
- Walker to discuss ‘Scaffold’ sculpture’s future with Dakota Elders (May 30, 2017)
City Pages
- Genocide and mini-golf in the Walker Sculpture Garden (May 27, 2017)
Rochester Post Bulletin
- Scaffold was wrong in 1862 and it’s offensive today (June 2, 2017)
- Our View: Walker’s error is ‘learning moment’ for Minnesota (May 30, 2017)
Mankato Free Press
- Demolition begins of gallows sculpture at Minneapolis museum (June 2, 2017)
- ‘Scaffold’ sculpture opens old wounds (May 31, 2017)
National News
- HyperAllergic: After a Dakota Ceremony, Dismantling of Controversial Sculpture Begins in Minneapolis (June 5, 2017)
- ArtNews: ‘A Seed of Healing and Change’: Native Americans Respond to Sam Durant’s ‘Scaffold’ (June 5, 2017)
- New York Times: Dakota People Are Debating Whether to Burn ‘Scaffold’ Fragments (June 5, 2017)
- Harper’s Bazaar Arabia: Paying Their Dues: The Walker Art Centre Controversy (June 4, 2017)
- The New Yorker: Does an Offensive Sculpture Deserve to Be Burned? (June 3, 2017)
- Wall Street Journal (subscription only): Minneapolis Museum Takes Down Gallows Sculpture Deemed Insensitive
- Jezebel: After Protests from Native American Community, Walker Art Center Will Remove Public Sculpture (June 1, 2017)
- WMagazine: Here’s One Way to Deal with Problematic Artworks, Like Sam Durant’s Scaffold: Burn Them (June 1, 2017)
- HyperAllergic: Controversial Sculpture in Minneapolis Will Be Dismantled and Ceremonially Burned (June 1, 2017)
- L.A. Times: Sam Durant sculpture of gallows in Minneapolis to be dismantled and ceremonially burned (June 1, 2017)
- The Art Newspaper: Sam Durant’s controversial Scaffold to be dismantled and burned (May 31, 2017)
- Crave: Los Angeles Artist Sam Durant Under Fire for “Scaffold” (May 31, 2017)
- ArtNet News: Walker Art Center’s Controversial Gallows Sculpture Will Be Removed and Ceremonially Burned (May 31, 2017)
- New York Times: Emmett Till’s Coffin, a Hangman’s Scaffold and a Debate Over Cultural Appropriation (May 31, 2017)
- Chicago Tribune: Minnesota museum to dismantle, burn sculpture inspired by 1862 hanging of 38 Dakota men (May 31, 2017)
- Smithsonian: Amid Controversy, Minneapolis Museum Removes Sculpture Based on Execution of 38 Dakota Men (May 31, 2017)
- New York Times: Walker Art Center Delays Opening of Sculpture Garden Following Controversy (May 30, 2017)
- Curbed: Walker Art Center to remove gallows-like sculpture after outcry (May 30, 2017)
- HyperAllergic: After Protests from Native American Community, Walker Art Center Will Remove Public Sculpture (May 29, 2017)
- Huffington Post: Minnesota Museum To Remove Gallows Exhibit After Native American Protest (May 29, 2017)
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