If we know that it is not the size of a monument that makes its popularity, it makes it clear that the majority of known monuments are large. Ca, we see it regardless of the type of monument and it is normal, it is precisely its unconventional dimensions that make an architectural piece a real monument. And for it to be known internationally, it must not only be great, but symbolize something, usually a whole country but not necessarily.
Relationship between size and notoriety
Relatively recently in view of the history of the world, Senegal built during the 2000s a gigantic monument named "Monument of African Renaissance". It is a statuary set representing a couple, the man holding a child on his arm. It is the representation of the future of Africans that we show positive, facing the challenges of the twenty-first century. It is a dynamic statue, to the glory of humanity.
But as successful as it is, this statue would have no symbolic value if it had been smaller. Or at least, its value would have been greatly reduced, since its size has attracted the attention of the whole world, making it discover to all civilizations who want to look well at Africa. A real size statue would have had a local impact, which certainly would have been interesting, but not as much as the international impact it really had. When it comes to a statue this notion takes on its importance, and that whatever the theme. What are the most famous statues in the world? The Statue of Liberty probably comes first, and this is the example of a large statue. We have the same thing with the statue of the motherland, in Kiev, which is also a statue dotn the large size has ensured its global recognition.
But whatever you say, the size of a statue is not everything in its recognition. Indeed, how is it that the Statue of Liberty is the most famous statue of the Western world while it looks small, compared to a few dozen others?
Because yes, the statue of Liberty measures "only" 49m60. The Asian countries, China in mind, has in their territories statues of gods of various religions whose heights climbs from 80 to 100m, without the base. Some even exceed the 100m mark, with a maximum height of 122m. And India has just inaugurated the highest in the world, 157m, plus 25 base. This means that the statue of Liberty is very small, in fact. But she is the best known. Why ?
A priori, the answer lies in its symbolism and its history. His story involves the United States and France, two countries of importance in the Western world. But it is especially what it represents that is important, because freedom is a universal notion strongly violated in the World, and now that the means of communication are developed, the oppressed people have naturally taken this statue as an example of their fights. Moreover, there are many copies of the Statue of Liberty in the World, proof of its importance.
Can a small monument be known?
And yes, there are monuments of small sizes very well known. But we must recognize that it is not the majority. Two examples are significant: The Manneken pis, in Brussels, and the little mermaid, in Copenhagen. In both cases, it is history and local traditions that have forged the reputation of these works. They have become symbols of their respective countries, Belgium and Denmark, but without being large.
List of the world's tallest monuments
- 324m: Eiffel Tower (Paris, France)
- 192m: Gateway Arch (Saint Louis, United States)
- 182m: Statue of Unity (Gujarat, India)
- 173m: Obelisk (San Jacinto, United States)
- 168m: High Roller Observation Wheel (Las Vegas, United States)
- 158m: Basilica of Our Lady of Peace (Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast)
- 153m: Valle de los Caídos (Madrid, Spain)
- 147m: Pyramid of Cheops (Cairo, Egypt)
- 127m: Phra Pathommachedi (Nakhon Pathom, Thailand)
- 128m: Buddha of the Temple of the Source (Henan, China)
- 120m: Dublin Spire (Bublin, Ireland)
See also:
