Artist:Julian LaVerdiere

1. What do his monuments do?
2. Nostalgia, how does his work address it?
3. Is the signified by the artist observed by the viewer?


1. LaVerdiere's monuments are used to create a sense of drama and importance. Creation of altered more inspirational historical narratives are conducted by substitution or other methods to make a "false" reality. This false reality is more like a historical fiction than reality. Emotional responses are acquired rather than the dry response text on the historical subject matter he is covering would invoke. They are made to inspire, to make the unknown seem exciting.

2. I am not sure. The text uses the word nostalgia to explain ideas counter to LaVerdiere's. But it could be interpreted as LaVerdiere's work tries to counter the short span of memory in society today by showing there is a greater more mysterious and mystical world where we come from. He uses the emotional aspect of nostalgia to help create his "romantic propaganda to help continue the march of progress.

3. The artist goal is to transmit inspiration in the audience. It appears that he effectively conveys that which he planned to convey. Eternally falling, the safe seems to send the same idea. Its success is due to an understanding of simple psychological reactions that humans have to the unknown. The filling in of the gaps by the imagination is more powerful than anything that could simply be stated. creation of the meaning is created inside the viewers mind rather than drilled into it. The works are simply catalyst for the viewers own mental responses with a small amount of subject matter to influence some idea construction.

It's harder to say something about work that is agreeable to my own thoughts.

Three more:
1. Could history be rewritten to accommodate an inspirational aspect?
2. Is it necessary for works to be awe inspiring to be successful?
3. Could inspirational effects be seen in works that are similar but lack the use of largely identifiable imagery?