Modern Monuments – Page 2 – The Monumentous

Modern Monuments: De Artoonisten Commemorates a Cartoonist and Culture with the Toonder Monument

The Toonder Monument honors the Rotterdam-born comic-book author who had a great influence on the Dutch language

The Monumentous

Created as a tribute to Dutch cartoonist Marten Toonder, the Toonder Monument is a whimsical commemoration of a legacy that continues to impact the culture of the Netherlands. Located on an otherwise unassuming street corner in Rotterdam, the monument is directly connected to Toonder’s work but has become something much more than a memorial to […]

Modern Monuments: The Gay Rights Memorial by Theo ten Have Facilitates Connection and Openness

"A profound happiness.”

The Monumentous

Europe, Modern Monuments, Sculpture

Created as a symbol against oppression and persecution of lesbians and gay men anywhere in the world, the Gay Rights Monument resides near the historical city center of The Hague in the Netherlands. Also referred to as the International Homomonument, the monument has become a symbol for a community as well as a place for […]

Modern Monuments: Batist Vermeulen Brings a Fairy Tale to Life with the Nello & Patrasche Sculpture

A Dog of Flanders

The Monumentous

Europe, Modern Monuments, Sculpture

The 1872 novel A Dog of Flanders introduced the world to Nello and Patrasche, a poor orphan boy and the abandoned dog who becomes is best friend. The story culminates outside the Cathedral of Our Lady in Antwerp, Belgium, which is where the Nello and Patrasche Sculpture by Batist Vermeulen resides. A Dog of Flanders […]

Modern Monument: The Scream by Jeroen Henneman Serves as a Memorial and Symbol

A landmark and memorial to Theo van Gogh

The Monumentous

Europe, Modern Monuments, Sculpture

‘The Scream’ (De Schreeuw in Dutch) is a memorial sculpture to Dutch film-maker Theo van Gogh located in Oosterpark (Eastern Park), which is one of the most popular parks in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Created by Jeroen Henneman, the piece is equal parts memorial and attraction, highlighting what it can mean for a monument to honor […]

Modern Monuments: The Miner by Tore Bjørn Skjølsvik Showcases the Legacy of Svalbard

Installed in 1999, The Miner was created by Tore Bjørn Skjølsvik

The Monumentous

Europe, Modern Monuments, Sculpture

Residing in the town Longyearbyen just outside of the modern Svalbardbutikken (general store) in the center of town, The Miner statue celebrates a legacy that represents the past and present of the entire Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard. This life-sized statue depicts a miner headed to or from work for the day, enabling a variety of […]

Modern Monuments: Jaume Plensa Defines Tolerance of and for Houston

Reflecting the diversity and tolerance of the entire Houston community

The Monumentous

Modern Monuments, North America, Sculpture, United States

Sculptures of seven separate, kneeling wire frame human figures on granite pedestals define Tolerance, by Jaume Plensa. Approximately 10 feet high, each figure rests on a Spanish boulder and is composed of the artist’s signature metal alphabet mesh. Privately funded through donors working with the Houston Arts Alliance and Greater Houston Community Foundation, sculptor Jaume […]

Modern Monuments: The Oliver Pollock Fountain and Monument by Frank Hayden Celebrates Multiple Louisiana Legacies

Showcasing the power of monuments to connect spaces, people and entire eras.

The Monumentous

Modern Monuments, North America, Public Space, United States

Commemorating Oliver Pollock, a mostly unknown hero and financier of the American Revolution, the Oliver Pollock Fountain and Monument defines Galvez Plaza in downtown Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Created by Frank Hayden in 1976 for Baton Rouge’s celebration of the U.S. bicentennial, it has come to serve a point of connection for audiences across the eras. […]