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Title
The Future Monument
Date
1995
Medium
steel & glass
Measurements
H 460 x W (?) x D (?) cm
Accession number
CV1_TS_S010
Acquisition method
commissioned as part of The Phoenix Initiative, Coventry's regeneration scheme
Work type
Sculpture
Owner
Coventry City Council
Custodian
Coventry City Council
Work status
extant
Access
at all times
Inscription description
THE FUTURE MONUMENT IS AN ANSWER FROM COVENTRY'S / INHABITANTS TO THE CITY'S LONG AND OFTEN DRAMATIC PAST IT / DEALS WITH FORMER ENEMIES BECOMING FRIENDS. / OVER 5000 CITIZENS CONTRIBUTED TO THE ARTWORK. THIS IS A / PUBLIC AS WELL AS PERSONAL STATEMENT AND THE CITY / COUNCIL WISHES TO THANK THE MANY COVENTRIANS FROM / OTHER COUNTRIES WHO HAVE PARTICIPATED JOINING THEIR / OWN MEMORY TO THE CITIES HISTORY IN AN ENDEAVOUR FOR / PEACE AND RECONCILIATION. / 40 SIGNATURES WERE NEEDED FOR A GROUP OR MINORITY TO BE / OFFERED A PLAQUE BEHIND THE OBELISK TO CELEBRATE THE / DIVERSITY OF COVENTRY'S PRESENT DAY POPULATION. / JOCHEN GERZ / THE FUTURE MONUMENT / 1998 / 2004; embedded glass plaques read: TO OUR GERMAN FRIENDS; TO OUR BRITISH FRIENDS; TO OUR JAPANESE FRIENDS; TO OUR FRENCH FRIENDS; TO OUR SPANISH FRIENDS; TO OUR RUSSIAN FRIENDS; TO OUR AMERICAN FRIENDS; TO OUR TURKISH FRIENDS; in addition, local groups and organisations have plaques including: The Latvian Community; Coventry Rugby Club; Coventry and Warwickshire Chinese Association; Coventry Dragon Boat Racing Club; Coventry and Warwickshire MG Owners Club