Last week I posted images of the Louisiana monument at Gettysburg Military Park. That monument fuses the horror of war in the person of a dead young soldier with the mythic, suggesting that the sacrifice of life in battle is a spiritual phenomenon that transcends this world and makes this world transcendent. People fight with their lives for what they feel is the quality of their lives. Cool.
The Mississippi monument just yards away does not go there. It is here and now capturing the rage of war. Of course, this fellow is about to bash somebody with a rifle butt (Me, because I'm standing in front of him?) to vindicate his fallen comrade. The monument stays in that moment. I walked away for it struck and stung by the nature of war and a warrior's nature.
My World Tuesday
55 Comments
It's a great memorial. The rage of war is well captured. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteSandy: What a neat post from this neat place, nice detail.
ReplyDeleteSandy, your photo and description reminds me too much of our fallen comrade, Suzanne, the war she was raging with herself and those who chose to exploit and help destroy her. Those of us who love her try to avenge her and also keep the flame of her memory flickering.
ReplyDelete"Rage" is exactly the word that came to mind when I saw this. Or perhaps "fear". Funny how often those two things are connected isn't it?
ReplyDeleteGreat photos, you've managed to capture a little of the rage yourself. Albeit with one degree of separation.
That is an incredibly powerful work. Great post and your photographs capture the art so well. I know what you mean about being "struck and stung . . ." as that so eloquently sums up what I felt looking at the monument.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with Carver, it is indeed a powerful work and I do feel the same way about being "struck and stung"! How could you not be in front of such a monument? Really great post, Sandy!
ReplyDeletePowerful and moving monument. One almost instinctively moves back away from it because of the rage that is so well communicated. Amazing piece of art that can communicate that through a photograh.
ReplyDeleteI missed that extraordinary sculpture when I went to Gettysburg, Sandy... How could that have happened?
ReplyDeleteIt's a very impressive sculpture, scary too. Your photos are very good! Thanks for sharing. Thanks for the visit too.
ReplyDeleteWars of the past and of the present - the images are all very powerful. Some of those wars have been necessary, but still the question rings in my mind like it had been struck against the metal of that sculpture - when will we (all of us) have had enough?
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. great photos.
ReplyDeleteMary Elizabeth @ Now and Then
Very powerful monument. Rage is a good description.
ReplyDeleterage and revenge are powerful emotions and the opposite of forgiveness. what a strong statement that sculpture makes-curious the bare toes on the foot showing the hardship of making war daily on man.
ReplyDeletevery dramatic piece!
ReplyDeleteThe vivid picture you painted with your words gave me goodbumps and chills. Your words seem like you were a witness when it actually happened.
ReplyDeletePowerful monument! War is ugly, but also heroisme and fear. Your photos of this monument captures these strong human feelings so well!
ReplyDeleteMagnificent statue, I absolutely love these pics.
ReplyDeleteHave a great week.
Guy
Regina In Pictures
The eyes, the eyes!!! Wow, what a beautifully sculpted face on this statue, amazing. Thanks for sharing Sandy.
ReplyDeleteHugs, G
I was at Gettysburg once years ago. Obviously I need to go back. Tho I admire them, I never could be a warrior. Never.
ReplyDeleteI love your photos and your words. The close up of the foot is incredible. Thanks for your visit on Sky Watch Friday. I found you, found Liquid, and found you again. xoxo.
ReplyDeleteExtraordinary sculpture! Very impressive!
ReplyDeleteWow, very impressive sculpture and so detailed. I once learned to recite a poem about Gettysburg as a kid, but now I've now forgotten about it. Thanks for the visit. So nice always to hear from one of the hosts here.
ReplyDeleteBtw, I like your new header.
That statue is certainly not glorifying war and for that I am appreciative.
ReplyDeleteThe status looked so amazing and life life.
ReplyDeleteYou did well with the camera at Gettysburg.
ReplyDeleteWonderfully historic, it is so nice to look at photos where their meaning has some depth,thanks for posting these.
ReplyDeletemine is here
http://aguthrieimages.wordpress.com/2009/04/27/thats-my-world-ruby-tuesday/
There is a sense of rage and motion freezed in bronze all right. Quite powerful image. The detail of the leg was great.
ReplyDeleteWow look at the intensity on the faces! It is amazing series of pics Sandy! Thank you for sharing them with us!
ReplyDeleteThat bony toes sticking out of the long since useful boot is a powerful image. Good captures.
ReplyDeleteAs violent as the fighting was, it was the living conditions that also caused sickness and death!
ReplyDeleteI am stunned!
ReplyDeleteHUGE!
Splendid and impressive sculpture. Excellent shots, Sandy.
ReplyDeleteA great monument of history!
ReplyDeletevery expressive piece of art, you captured it well.
ReplyDeleteArt it maybe ... just looking at it breaks my heart. The horrors of war is with us everyday of our lives, and is not about to change, at least not in my lifetime. But one can hope, right Sandy?
ReplyDeleteGreat sculpture. Rage can be seen in the eyes.
ReplyDeleteThe horror stories of war, I wish for peace.
ReplyDeleteAmazing sculpture and so brutal. Great photos.
ReplyDeleteThe sculptor did a magnificent job on the eyes! And I see desperation and determination in this fellow. Having run out of ammunition, he still fights.
ReplyDeleteGreat series of photos. You've captured this intense monument very well.
ReplyDeleteIt is magnificient art you are showing. Have a nice week!
ReplyDeleteP.S. The sad thing is there will always come new monuments and memorials of new wars.
That is a very striking momument. Thanks for posting it.
ReplyDeleteso much in that moment...notice that the chap has no shoes...the textures, the intensity...love this piece...
ReplyDeleteYou found some great statues! Look at the toes on that guy! Amazing!
ReplyDeleteVery powerful.
ReplyDeleteAmazing - really makes you think. Very powerful pictures.
ReplyDeletethat first image is very powerful, those eyes haunting. thanks for this.
ReplyDeleteYou are right. It immediatley strikes one with that violence portraid. One wants to take a step back and look the other way. Pretend it isn't happening.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots though. Brings it all home really.
There is a savage fierceness in this carving, yet when you look into those eyes in the first photo you see a deep sadness. This sadness always pierces my heart when on these hallowed grounds of war.
ReplyDeleteThat's a very powerful work. Do you know who the artist is?
ReplyDeleteThe face looked strangely angry and then I scrolled down and saw the gun.
ReplyDeleteAwesome shots. I came for your WW, but got caught up with this series. I love Gettysburg. I'll have to go back someday.
ReplyDeleteAmazing-such POWER coming through the statue.
ReplyDeleteWonderful series of military monuments!
ReplyDeleteHugs and blessings,
Very scary and powerful images Sandy. It would be wonderful to live in a world where there were no wars!
ReplyDeleteThanks for being here.