Social Space: The Monument
Description and Goals
Inspired by Henry Moore’s sculptures, I have designed a monument commemorating the birth of my younger brother. Just like Moore’s works are displayed in his beautiful home and garden in Hertfordshire, I would want to place my monument in a children’s garden in my hometown. The site I have chosen is the Pune-Okayama Friendship Garden, consisting of extended lawns and walkways that form a continuous and dynamic path through the entire garden. My brother has always loved visiting parks all over the world. Nothing makes him happier than playing in a free space with his friends and family. The Garden entertains all age-group visitors. It is a common go-to place for families to relax on the weekends. To commemorate his birthday, the best day of my life, in a place that he can let go and enjoy to his fullest is just what I want.
The design of the monument is an abstract representation of a picture that was clicked on his birthday. It consists of me holding my baby brother in my lap. Thus, the monument will have a top part symbolizing me, and a bottom depicting my brother. Keeping the concept of joy and fun in mind, I plan on making the sculpture curvy and smooth. Text will be incorporated in the bottom corner of the sculpture. It will be a subtle engraving of his birthday: 3rd September 2004, in his handwriting. Like Henry Moore’s works, there will be small holes carved out on the right sides of the top part and the lower part. These two circular structures represent and connect my heart and my brother’s face. Along with plaster, I will be using plexiglass in the lower component of the structure. I plan on creating a box enclosing the lower part that represents my brother. This box is meant to symbolize my protectiveness for him. For the front, back and lower faces I will be using transparent plexi. Whereas for the top, right and left sides I will be using light blue transparent plexiglass. To attach the sides of the cuboid box to each other, I will be drilling several holes along each edge and then threading them together with baby blue thread. The transparency in the front and back will allow a clear view of the statue. I decided to add the color blue because it was all I could see after he was born. There were light-blue colored “It’s a Boy!” goodies all around our house. This entire monument is a semi-abstract symbol of my endless love and protective nature towards my little brother.
If this monument was to be made in its actual scale, I would use sturdier materials like bronze in place of the plaster and glass instead of plexiglass. The entire structure would be about 18-20 feet tall, placed in the aforementioned site.