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May 4th Memorial Competition - Rick Mansfield2.jpg

May 4th       Memorial

Fall 2020 College-Wide Competition

Professor Danny Wills

Kent State University, Kent, Ohio

Remembrance - Speech- History

As a response to a need for safe spaces to protest and rally, the current May 4th Memorial should be redesigned to incorporate a safe place for people to creatively practice their right to free speech and right to assembly. Various sculptures and features within the site can serve similar uses as “The Rock,” where blank stone faces and simple geometry is painted over and used to protest for various groups of students. Ideal sculptures include groups of large rocks, a low pyramid, a long wall for larger painting, 9 trees spaced evenly apart to promote the hanging of signs and hammocks, and 4 large pillars with lights on the top to help promote this as a safe space, illuminating this area through the night. By giving a specific area for students to gather and protest on issues they feel strongly for, the students in Kent can band together and find unity.

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