The statues represent the country’s history , no matter how complicated. Taking them down is to censor, whitewash, and potentially forget that history. Removing statues is a slippery slope that could lead to the brash removal of monuments to any slightly problematic person.
How are statues seen as an important part of our history?
Statues in many cases in the c19th were erected to honour the contribution made by individuals and groups of men , usually military but not always. They were part of the Honours system which was used to instil a sense of pride in the empire and often a means of keeping the support of elites.
Are statues considered history?
Because of their role in this dialogue, statues cannot be treated as sacrosanct. They represent what people in the Past chose to celebrate and memorialise, they do not represent history . ... Instead, statues in public spaces since Antiquity have most typically been used to represent power and authority.
What do historic statues represent?
Statues have long been a way to honor leaders, benefactors, heroes and the war dead , giving them permanence and a three-dimensional presence. Over the years, they have come to mean many things to different people, including a way to remember, a work of art or simply a place for pigeons to roost.
Is removing statues Erasing history?
Every time a statue or monument is removed, it in turn reduces the amount of history succeeding generations have to learn from . However, history was being lost before monuments were taken down, in the sense of general lack of awareness.
What is the main purpose of statues?
Statues can teach us about history , but they do not convey some immutable truth from the past. Instead, they are symbolic of the fixed ideas of a specific community regarding its past, as captured at a particular point in time.
Why do we build statues?
Statues are naturally meant to honor somebody , reflect that this is a person worth remembering, admiring, or imitating. One might suggest that a statue of a confederate leader could be kept as a way to remember the bad parts of history.
Do statues teach history?
Statues, however, don’t teach history . They commemorate individuals and celebrate a romanticized vision of the past. They provide neither context nor an explanation of events. They elevate representatives of some groups while ignoring others.
What do statues symbolize?
These images honor heroines to whom women of today owe their gratitude . A statue is more than its material content; statues carry the power of symbolism. By placing a statue at a public site, viewers are expected to honor and respect the person represented in larger-than-life-size bronze.
What is the oldest statue in the world?
The Löwenmensch figurine and the Venus of Hohle Fels , both from Germany, are the oldest confirmed statuettes in the world, dating to 35,000-40,000 years ago. The oldest known life-sized statue is Urfa Man found in Turkey which is dated to around 9,000 BC.
What happens if we erase history?
When we erase history, we don’t simply shield ourselves from a frustrating and offensive past. We make ourselves more ignorant and shield ourselves from the questions we should be asking to make sure we do not repeat the worst episodes of our history .
Why do we have Confederate statues?
According to the American Historical Association (AHA), the erection of Confederate monuments during the early 20th century was “part and parcel of the initiation of legally mandated segregation and widespread disenfranchisement across the South.” According to the AHA, memorials to the Confederacy erected during this ...
What are statues made of?
The metal most used for sculpture is bronze , which is basically an alloy of copper and tin; but gold, silver, aluminum, copper, brass, lead, and iron have also been widely used.
What does it mean to be honored with a statue?
monument Add to list Share. A monument is a statue or other sculpture meant to honor a great person , like the Lincoln Monument or Washington Monument. ... Many honor a specific person, while other are dedicated to soldiers who fought in a certain war, such as Vietnam or World War I.
Why is art often controversial?
Art combines balance, proportion, composition, and imagery. ... Art is controversial because many people do not share the same appreciation of art.
How do you make statues?
Cast sculpture is the parent of statuary, but the process of making both is essentially the same. ... Statuary is cast using molds and is made of cement, plaster, or resin; but sculpture can be made of almost any material or many materials from marble and bronze to feathers and hubcaps .
