Double Sided Media

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PHOTOS: George Floyd Square, Minneapolis, MN

by Robert Scherle · August 30, 2022

On August 10, DSM photographer Robert Scherle visited the George Floyd Square at the intersection of E. 38th and Chicago in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

In his own words: 

“There are no ghosts at George Floyd’s Memorial. It feels more like a vacuum. Although it’s filled with offerings, art, graffiti, and artifacts; there is no air. 

And though your eyes dart around at all there is to see, there is a profound silence on this part of the street. The whole block. No one is talking, not even mumbles or murmurs. 

I believe this is because, as we take all of this in, we don’t know what to say, we don ‘t know how to understand, and we don’t know how to react. Standing in the space that saw such cold-hearted brutality, I think it’s best to be frozen silent and incredulous.”

A black-and-white photograph of the intersection at George Floyd Square, Minneapolis, Minnesota --- E38th and Chicago Ave. In the middle of a large, makeshift planter made of cement cinderblocks filled with dirt, plants, and signs, rises the raised fist sculpture. Sitting on the sculpture's pedestal are dozens of glass candles.
The Raised Fist at the intersection of Chicago Ave. and E 38th St. in Minneapolis, Minnesota on August 10, 2022. [Robert Scherle // Double Sided Media]
A black-and-white photograph looking down E. 38th Street towards another raised fist sculpture, also with flag, in the middle of the road. Directly to it's right is a stop sign. A few cars are parked on either side of the street.
Looking towards the second metal fist sculpture, near the intersection of 38th St. and Elliot Ave., one block away from Cup Foods in Minneapolis, Minnesota on August 10, 2022. [Robert Scherle // Double Sided Media]
A black-and-white photograph of Cup Foods and the George Floyd Memorial that is set up in front of it. Bordering the memorial are several cement barriers. Just beyond the barriers, plants and flowers can be seen. Stretching from the traffic light pole, across the memorial, is a string with signs, portraits, and jerseys hanging. Cup Foods, in the background, features it's large lettered signs, awning, and the windows are also covered with signs. Attached to the buildings corner is a 1950's-style sign identifying the convenience store.
The George Floyd Memorial in front of Cup Foods at the intersection of Chicago Ave. and E 38th St. in Minneapolis, Minnesota on August 10, 2022. [Robert Scherle // Double Sided Media]
The George Floyd Memorial in front of Cup Foods at the intersection of Chicago Ave. and E 38th St. in Minneapolis, Minnesota on August 10, 2022. [Robert Scherle // Double Sided Media]
A black-and-white photo looking away from Cup Foods looking towards the George Floyd Memorial located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Directly in the front is a circular planter made of cement cinderblocks that has plants and a few stuffed teddy bears in it. There's also a sign that reads "Rest In Power" and about a dozen empty liquor bottles --- some are upside down in the cinderblocks. The Memorial, on this side of the large cement traffic barriers, is roped off with ribbon and bordered by plastic and wood planters with plants in them. In the background, other visitors to the memorial look on and take photos.
The George Floyd Memorial in front of Cup Foods at the intersection of Chicago Ave. and E 38th St. in Minneapolis, Minnesota on August 10, 2022. [Robert Scherle // Double Sided Media]
A black-and-white photograph of the interior of Cup Foods in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The windowed-cashier area is directly in the front of the camera and on the other side, to the left, is the majority of the store's merchandise. Behind the counter appears to be tobacco products. In the background, through the doorway, at least three people stand. The two nearest the door look towards the camera.
Inside Cup Foods at the intersection of Chicago Ave. and E 38th St. in Minneapolis, Minnesota on August 10, 2022. [Robert Scherle // Double Sided Media]
A black-and-white photograph of the memorial for Imez Wright that is within the George Floyd Memorial in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This area is also roped off with ribbon and bordered by planters with plants. On the ground, the words "R.I.P. Imez Wright" are written in a stylized, cursive font. There's an crown over the "i" in "Wright," too.
A memorial for Imez Wright inside George Floyd Square at the intersection of Chicago Ave. and E 38th St. in Minneapolis, Minnesota on August 10, 2022. Wright was killed at the intersection on March 6, 2021. [Robert Scherle // Double Sided Media]
A black-and-white photograph of the bus stop in front of Cup Foods at the intersection of Chicago Ave. and E 38th St in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The bus stop's "glass" has been covered with a black-and-white image of George Floyd. On the sidewalk, sitting up against the stop, are potted plants, flowers, candles. and stuffed animals. In the street, a couple of feet away and in front of the camera is a wooden bench.
The bus shelter in front of Cup Foods at the intersection of Chicago Ave. and E 38th St. in Minneapolis, Minnesota on August 10, 2022. [Robert Scherle // Double Sided Media]
A black-and-white photograph of the interior of the bus shelter in front of Cup Foods in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The inside backing has been written on with phrases such as "Fuck MPD," "F*ck 12," "Forever George Floyd," and "ACAB." In the center of the stop is a poster that reads "Asians For Black Lives, Fight The System" with the image of what appears to be a black panther."
The bus shelter in front of Cup Foods at the intersection of Chicago Ave. and E 38th St. in Minneapolis, Minnesota on August 10, 2022. [Robert Scherle // Double Sided Media]
A black-and-white photograph of a portion of the bus stop in front of Cup Foods in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Resting on the sidewalk are several candles, some in glass-some not, a stuffed mickey-mouse doll and several stuffed teddy bears. In the middle, written on the side of the bus stop, reads a stylized "acab" in lowercase letters.
In front of the bus stop next to Cup Foods at the intersection of Chicago Ave. and E 38th St. in Minneapolis, Minnesota on August 10, 2022. [Robert Scherle // Double Sided Media]
A black-and-white photograph of the side of a building. The top, white part, of the corner has a spray-painted message that says "the future belongs to those who prepare for it today - malcom x". The brick wall below it also features spray-painted hearts and phrases such as "black lives matter," "blm," "and "change"
Graffiti messages cover buildings near the George Floyd Memorial in Minneapolis, Minnesota on August 10, 2022. [Robert Scherle // Double Sided Media]
A black-and-white photo of the light-colored side of a building. Painted on the length of the wall are an assortment of foliage and flowers. There's a stylized "Abolish Police" and two signs that say "I can't breath" and "black lives matter"
Street art near the George Floyd Memorial in Minneapolis, Minnesota on August 10, 2022. [Robert Scherle // Double Sided Media]
A black-and-white photograph of the second half of the wall from the prevous photo. This side says "heal invest uplift our community" in the same stylized font as before.
Street art near the George Floyd Memorial in Minneapolis, Minnesota on August 10, 2022. [Robert Scherle // Double Sided Media]
A black-and-white photograph of the raised fist erected at the intersection in George Floyd Square, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Against, a light grey sky, a dark grey fist with detailed digits rises out of the bottom of the frame, appearing taller than the traffic light at its right. At the top, a flag waves. To the left is the latter-portion of a phrase written on a building's awning: "...here's people there's power"
The Raised Fist at the intersection of Chicago Ave. and E 38th St. in Minneapolis, Minnesota on August 10, 2022. [Robert Scherle // Double Sided Media]
Robert Scherle

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