Discover the Powerful Meaning Behind Thomas J Price's "Grounded in the Stars"

Explore the profound impact of Thomas J Price's monumental sculpture in Times Square with D. Gilmore's insightful book, "Not Just Bronze: The Significance & Symbolism of ‘Grounded in the Stars’". D. Gilmore, a renowned cultural commentator and author, delves into why casting an ordinary Black woman in bronze is an act of intentional rebellion and powerful reclamation.

This work challenges centuries of tradition where bronze was reserved for figures of power, conquest, and empire. By immortalizing an anonymous Black individual in this enduring material, Price asserts that Black presence is not temporary or easily erased and fundamentally rewrites the vocabulary of worth.

The book unpacks how the sculpture functions as a counter-monument, resisting traditional expectations and prompting viewers to confront their own biases – acting as a mirror that reveals more about society than the art itself. It highlights the power of presence and stillness as a form of resistance for those historically pressured to perform or conform.

Gilmore's analysis, drawn from the book, explores the title's dual meaning of being "grounded" in struggle yet connected "in the stars", the spiritual restoration offered by seeing oneself finally monumentalized, and the cultural shifts and controversies the statue ignited, including the viral TikTok reaction. It's a book about presence, visibility, permanence, and challenging who gets to be permanent in public space.

Learn more about the book and the sculpture's impact:

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Read the full article: https://relentlessaaron.net/not-just-bronze/

Listen to the Podcast Episode:

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D. Gilmore discussed these themes on the Superpreneur Podcast, in an episode titled "Not Just Bronze: Reclaiming Public Memory & The Power of Black Presence with D. Gilmore". While a direct link to this specific episode isn't provided in the sources, you can find it by searching for the "Superpreneur Podcast" on your preferred podcast platform and looking for the episode featuring D. Gilmore and discussing "Not Just Bronze".