# State of the Art

## <mark style="color:$primary;">STUDY OF THE DOMAIN</mark>

The project focuses on a specific sub-phenomenon within **Cancel Culture**, which is the **removal of statues portraying historical figures who have been criticized as responsible for ideas or actions deemed morally and socially unjust**.

In order to better define the domain, we carefully reviewed both literature related to Cancel Culture as a wider form of activism and specific case studies which involved **controversial monuments**.

The following paragraphs summarize our research and present a glossary of the most recurrent terms in the definition of the phenomena at hand.

## <mark style="color:$primary;">STATE OF THE ART</mark>

Starting from the broader phenomenon, we collected both scholarly papers and journal articles devoted to Cancel Culture in general. The references listed in the Bibliography and Sitography sections tackle the topic from different perspectives and backgrounds (legal, historical, social), but overall, though having a different focus on this complex matter, these studies agreed on some characteristics of Cancel Culture, in particular:

* CC is not a movement, but rather a form of activism which has its origins in the digital era. It’s rooted in the Internet and social media platforms
* Its target, which may or may not be human (including, for example, public spaces and monuments, works of art or brands) is condemned as bearer of ideas or attitudes which are socially or morally unacceptable in the eyes of the activists
* It aims at the removal of its target from the public sphere or memory

\
As for the particular expression of CC that is **statue removal**, we both reviewed literature we could find about the topic and searched for debates and protests surrounding controversial monuments, which could help us better understand and describe the phenomenon. The Contested Histories Initiative, a co-initiative of the European Association of History Educators (EuroClio) and the Institute for Historical Justice and Reconciliation (IHJR) was particularly useful in this sense. Contested Histories maintains a set of digital resources dedicated to debates related to examples of divisive historical memory, in order to foster a deeper comprehension of the phenomenon and was our main reference both for case studies review and for defining a classification that we later used in our conceptual model.<br>

***

## <mark style="color:$primary;">GLOSSARY</mark>

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<summary><mark style="background-color:red;">CANCEL CULTURE</mark> </summary>

Cancel culture refers to a set of social and cultural practices through which individuals, works, or public symbols are publicly criticized, delegitimized, or removed following the exposure or re-evaluation of behaviors, ideas, or actions considered morally, politically, or socially unacceptable.Within the field of cultural heritage, cancel culture emerges in debates surrounding the removal, reinterpretation, or preservation of monuments and memorials associated with controversial figures or events, raising questions about freedom of expression, historical responsibility, and the right to memory.

**RELATED ARTICLES**

* [<sub>*https://www.nomos-leattualitaneldiritto.it/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/D.-De-Rada-Cancel-Culture-e-diritto-allaccesso-allinformazione.pdf*</sub>](https://www.nomos-leattualitaneldiritto.it/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/D.-De-Rada-Cancel-Culture-e-diritto-allaccesso-allinformazione.pdf) &#x20;
* [<sub>*https://aclanthology.org/2022.lateraisse-1.3.pdf*</sub>](https://aclanthology.org/2022.lateraisse-1.3.pdf)&#x20;
* [<sub>*https://site.unibo.it/canadausa/it/articoli/fenomenologia-della-cancel-culture-tra-woke-capitalism-e-diritti-delle-minoranze*</sub>](https://site.unibo.it/canadausa/it/articoli/fenomenologia-della-cancel-culture-tra-woke-capitalism-e-diritti-delle-minoranze)&#x20;
* [<sub>*https://arpi.unipi.it/retrieve/46abcaa4-d9d2-46f8-9b1d-f2ae5a59c320/CAMBIO%20Cancel%20culture%202023.pdf*</sub>](https://arpi.unipi.it/retrieve/46abcaa4-d9d2-46f8-9b1d-f2ae5a59c320/CAMBIO%20Cancel%20culture%202023.pdf)&#x20;

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<summary><mark style="background-color:red;">CONTESTED HERITAGE</mark></summary>

Contested heritage refers to cultural assets, monuments, sites, or symbols whose meanings are disputed by different social, political, or cultural groups.Such contestation arises when heritage embodies values, narratives, or historical figures perceived by some as oppressive, violent, or discriminatory, while others defend them as historical testimony or expressions of collective identity.Contested heritage highlights the dynamic nature of collective memory and the role of power in shaping historical narratives.

**RELATED ARTICLES** [<sub>*https://www.researchgate.net/publication/363797752\_Contested\_Heritage\_or\_Cancel\_Culture\_The\_Case\_of\_Ivan\_Mestrovic's\_Public\_Sculptures\_in\_Chicago*</sub>](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/363797752_Contested_Heritage_or_Cancel_Culture_The_Case_of_Ivan_Mestrovic's_Public_Sculptures_in_Chicago)&#x20;

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<summary><mark style="background-color:red;">CONTROVERSIAL FIGURE</mark> </summary>

A historical or public individual whose achievements coexist with problematic actions or ideologies, making them controversial and whose presence in public space triggers societal reflection on unresolved historical injustices

**RELATED ARTICLES**&#x20;

* [<sub>*https://academic.oup.com/jope/article-abstract/55/3/430/6821501?login=false*</sub>](https://academic.oup.com/jope/article-abstract/55/3/430/6821501?login=falsehttps://contestedhistories.org/wp-content/uploads/Italy_-Indro-Montanelli-Statue-in-Milan-Final-1.pdf)&#x20;
* [<sub>*ttps://contestedhistories.org/wp-content/uploads/Italy\_-Indro-Montanelli-Statue-in-Milan-Final-1.pdf*</sub> ](https://contestedhistories.org/wp-content/uploads/Italy_-Indro-Montanelli-Statue-in-Milan-Final-1.pdf)

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<summary><mark style="background-color:yellow;">FAILURE IN TRANSMISSION</mark></summary>

Failure in transmission refers to the breakdown in the intergenerational transfer of historical meaning, values, or intentions associated with a monument, symbol, or heritage object.This occurs when the original context or commemorative purpose is no longer understood, accepted, or shared by contemporary audiences, leading to misinterpretation, rejection, or contestation.

**RELATED ARTICLES** [<sub>*https://www.researchgate.net/publication/363797752\_Contested\_Heritage\_or\_Cancel\_Culture\_The\_Case\_of\_Ivan\_Mestrovic's\_Public\_Sculptures\_in\_Chicago*</sub> ](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/363797752_Contested_Heritage_or_Cancel_Culture_The_Case_of_Ivan_Mestrovic's_Public_Sculptures_in_Chicago)

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<summary><mark style="background-color:yellow;">CONTRADICTORY TRANSMISSION</mark></summary>

A situation in which a monument’s intended message is understood differently by different groups or stakeholders, creating a gap between what the monument was meant to communicate and how it is actually perceived.

**RELATED ARTICLES** [<sub>*https://www.researchgate.net/publication/363797752\_Contested\_Heritage\_or\_Cancel\_Culture\_The\_Case\_of\_Ivan\_Mestrovic's\_Public\_Sculptures\_in\_Chicago*</sub> ](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/363797752_Contested_Heritage_or_Cancel_Culture_The_Case_of_Ivan_Mestrovic's_Public_Sculptures_in_Chicago)

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<summary><mark style="background-color:red;">HERITAGIZATION</mark></summary>

Heritagization is the process through which objects, places, or practices are transformed into cultural heritage by being assigned historical, symbolic, or identity-based value. This process is socially constructed and dynamic, often involving institutional recognition, public discourse, and selective interpretations of the past.

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<summary><mark style="background-color:red;">REFRAMING HISTORY</mark></summary>

Reframing History is reinterpreting historical narratives, often to address gaps, biases, or outdated perspectives. It aims to create a more inclusive and accurate understanding of the past by incorporating diverse voices and challenging traditional interpretations. This can involve deconstructing dominant narratives, highlighting marginalized groups, and re-evaluating the impact of historical events

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[<sub>*https://contestedhistories.org/wp-content/uploads/Italy\_-Indro-Montanelli-Statue-in-Milan-Final-1.pdf*</sub> ](https://contestedhistories.org/wp-content/uploads/Italy_-Indro-Montanelli-Statue-in-Milan-Final-1.pdf)

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<summary><mark style="background-color:yellow;">DEBATES</mark></summary>

Debates denote structured or informal public discussions in which multiple stakeholders express conflicting views regarding the meaning, value, or future of a heritage object. Such debates often emerge around contested monuments and reflect broader tensions between historical preservation, moral judgment, and social change.

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* [<sub>*https://academic.oup.com/jope/article-abstract/55/3/430/6821501?login=false*</sub>](https://academic.oup.com/jope/article-abstract/55/3/430/6821501?login=false)
* [<sub>*ontent/uploads/Italy\_-Indro-Montanelli-Statue-in-Milan-Final-1.pdf*</sub> ](https://contestedhistories.org/wp-content/uploads/Italy_-Indro-Montanelli-Statue-in-Milan-Final-1.pdf)

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<summary><mark style="background-color:green;">COMMEMORATION</mark></summary>

The intentional act of publicly honoring and preserving the memory, achievements, or identity of a historical figure, group, or event through monuments, statues, or place names. Monuments do not celebrate personal character, virtues, or vices, but record the res gestae— the deeds accomplished in their roles as leaders, commanders, or other public figures.

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* [<sub>*https://academic.oup.com/jope/article-abstract/55/3/430/6821501?login=false*</sub>](https://academic.oup.com/jope/article-abstract/55/3/430/6821501?login=false)
* [<sub>*https://contestedhistories.org/wp-content/uploads/Italy\_-Indro-Montanelli-Statue-in-Milan-Final-1.pdf*</sub> ](https://contestedhistories.org/wp-content/uploads/Italy_-Indro-Montanelli-Statue-in-Milan-Final-1.pdf)

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<summary><mark style="background-color:green;">HISTORIC IMPORTANCE</mark></summary>

Historic importance refers to the perceived significance of a person, event, or object within a historical narrative. This significance is not fixed but subject to reassessment as societal values, historical knowledge, and collective priorities evolve.

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<summary><mark style="background-color:yellow;">COLLECTIVE MEMORY</mark></summary>

Maurice Halbwachs’ theory posits that contestation arises from differing and often opposing understandings of the past, shaped by how various groups remember it. The presence of conflicting groups makes it extremely difficult to achieve a unanimous interpretation. Typically, the memories of the dominant subgroup ultimately become the “official” collective memory. Collective memory represents past events in relation to the specific values, narratives, and biases of the group that preserves them.

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<summary><mark style="background-color:yellow;">SOCIAL IDENTITY</mark></summary>

Social identity refers to an individual’s or group’s sense of belonging derived from shared values, histories, and cultural references.\
Heritage and monuments play a significant role in reinforcing or challenging social identities by legitimizing particular historical narratives.

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<summary><mark style="background-color:red;">VALUE'S CHANGE</mark> </summary>

For supporters of Cancel Culture, the removal of statues and commemorative monuments is a way to contribute to changes in the shared values of a society. Every human community is founded on moral values that enable peaceful coexistence among individuals. Moral values are constantly evolving: what is considered acceptable or unacceptable varies across historical periods. Monuments are not merely historical testimonies; they are also a means of publicly celebrating an individual or a set of values.

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[<sub>*https://elzevirus.it/la-cancel-culture-che-rimuove-i-monumenti/*</sub>](https://elzevirus.it/la-cancel-culture-che-rimuove-i-monumenti/)

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<summary><mark style="background-color:yellow;">VALUE</mark> </summary>

Moral principles and shared norms that explain why a monument is erected, celebrated, or contested. They guide what a community considers worth preserving, and can change over time, making some monuments “difficult” or “dissonant” heritage.

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<summary><mark style="background-color:red;">OPPOSITION</mark></summary>

Opposition denotes organized or informal resistance to the presence, meaning, or treatment of a monument or heritage object.

Oppositional actions may range from public critique and protest to demands for removal, relocation, or reinterpretation.

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[<sub>*https://contestedhistories.org/wp-content/uploads/Italy\_-Indro-Montanelli-Statue-in-Milan-Final-1.pdf*</sub> ](https://contestedhistories.org/wp-content/uploads/Italy_-Indro-Montanelli-Statue-in-Milan-Final-1.pdf)

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<summary><mark style="background-color:yellow;">ACTIVIST</mark> </summary>

An activist is an individual or member of a group who actively seeks social, political, or cultural change through advocacy, protest, or public engagement.

In heritage contexts, activists often challenge dominant historical narratives and advocate for accountability, inclusion, and ethical reconsideration.

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<summary><mark style="background-color:yellow;">SOCIAL MEDIA ACTIVISM</mark> </summary>

Social media activism refers to the use of digital platforms to mobilize public opinion, disseminate information, and coordinate action around social or cultural issues.

In debates over contested heritage, social media plays a key role in amplifying marginalized voices and accelerating public scrutiny.

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[<sub>*https://www.nomos-leattualitaneldiritto.it/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/D.-De-Rada-Cancel-Culture-e-diritto-allaccesso-allinformazione.pdf*</sub>](https://www.nomos-leattualitaneldiritto.it/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/D.-De-Rada-Cancel-Culture-e-diritto-allaccesso-allinformazione.pdf)

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<summary><mark style="background-color:green;">PRESERVATION</mark> </summary>

Intentional actions to safeguard, protect, and maintain a monument physically and symbolically, shaped by its social value; neglect may occur if the monument is considered “difficult heritage.”

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<summary><mark style="background-color:yellow;">RELOCATION</mark></summary>

Relocation involves the physical removal of a monument from its original site to another location, such as a museum or storage facility.

It is often proposed as a compromise solution that balances the acknowledgment of historical harm with the conservation of material heritage.

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<summary><mark style="background-color:red;">CENSORED</mark> </summary>

The removal, obscuring, or alteration of a monument or historical legacy, seen variably as restorative justice or as erasing history, depending on perspective

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<summary><mark style="background-color:red;">VANDALISED</mark></summary>

Vandalised describes the deliberate defacement or damage of a monument or heritage object, often as an act of protest or symbolic resistance.

Such actions reflect heightened conflict over meaning, visibility, and power in public space.

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[<sub>*https://contestedhistories.org/wp-content/uploads/Italy\_-Indro-Montanelli-Statue-in-Milan-Final-1.pdf*</sub>  ](https://contestedhistories.org/wp-content/uploads/Italy_-Indro-Montanelli-Statue-in-Milan-Final-1.pdf)

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<summary><mark style="background-color:red;">DEMOLITION</mark></summary>

The deliberate act of physically removing or destroying a monument, representing the most radical outcome of a contested history and the desire to end its public celebration.

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