Significance of Location:
The Statue of Liberty is located on Liberty Island (ne Bedloe's Island) which is just off the shore of New York City. Looking past the monument in one direction you see the vast openness of the ocean and looking in the other you see the towering buildings of New York. The Statue of Liberty wasn't just placed here randomly. Although it could have been effective in another city both Laboulaye and Bartholdi were adamant that the statue had to be in New York. With the original choice for location going between Liberty Island, Battery Park and Central Park. The two parks were ditched because the horizon was blocked by the surrounding skyscrapers. This meant that the effect of the massive monument would be lessened, so the symbolic power would not be as great as it is today.
Liberty Island was the perfect location for the Statue of Liberty for several reasons:
- Firstly the New York harbour tends to be calm. Placed in the harbour the statue would be protected from harsh weather most of the time. However Liberty has faced her deal of harsh weather, she has survived blizzards, hurricanes, strong winds and has remained more or less the same. Liberty was made to be resistant to high wind speeds and her size is a likely factor that helps her stand high pressure. She has had to have weather repairs but no more then any other statue or monument would (For example the torch was replaced in 1986). In fact the weather that has made the most impact on the Statue of Liberty is the 'corrosion of time' which affected the colour of the copper (changing it from a red-brown to the blue-green we know today.
- Secondly the New York Harbour was the main entry point to the United States. This was important as as immigrants, migrants and refugees from other countries came in to America via New York, the first thing they would see would be the Statue of Liberty against the backdrop of the skyscrapers of New York. They would see neoclassical Liberty raising her torch to light the way to freedom, they would see the tablet she is holding dating the date of American Independence, they would see the chains broken at her feet all symbolising breaking free from slavery. It doesn't matter what background these people come from because as they see the statue of Liberty against New York, they see freedom, the chance to live a new life.
- Thirdly sitting alone on the harbour gives the monument all the space it needs. It isn't lost among trees and buildings, instead it stands alone towering above the ocean. This gives the powerful effect that the designer was hoping for. The Statue of Liberty is the point of focus on the harbour, every time it is looked at it, it is an encourager. People from all over New York can look across the waters and see a reminder of the freedom that their country has accomplished in getting to today. They can get encouraged by the upwards pointing hand to surge on forwards, to keep going, not to give up just yet, to pursue your dreams.
But this is not just a symbol of encouragement to New York. The Statue of Liberty appears all over America, whether in lectures, in advertising or as a soft plump toy, it can be found everywhere. Every time someone sees Liberty in some form they are reminded of the victory they have won as a country against tyranny and oppression. Even though this was a gift from France, people know that their ancestors contributed to the pedestal and so contributed to helping the idea come to life. The fact that it was the people of these two nations who paid for the monument makes it more special, as if it had just been the government then it would not represent the people fighting for change as strong as it does today. The citizens are a part of the statue, it is their history, it is their freedom being shown. Liberty's everlasting torch is an everlasting symbol of knowledge and enlightenment, her stance with the right foot raised a symbol that as a nation, America is always moving forward. The Statue of Liberty is an encourager to everyone in the United States of America and in fact everyone in the whole world. Kindly telling us that we should live each day taking a small step in the continued fight for equality, independence, freedom. Whether through a smile, or a lunch, or a protest, like Liberty we need to keep moving forward, keep fighting for change..
Although this was not the purpose for which the monument was built, my next point must be commented on. One a more commercial level, because the Statue of Liberty has such as powerful effect and has become known all over America, it has helped many companies gin strength. It has increased tourism to New York bringing more money into the city and has had a knock on effect on other states. As well as bringing tourists to the country, the Statue of Liberty has opened a whole new line of merchandise. You can buy the classic Liberty crowns to wear on your own head, there are mugs, t'shirts, post cars, balloons, just to name a few products. The Statue of Liberty has also helped companies who effectively choose to use her symbol. By associating themselves with the monument, they are associating themselves with the values attached to it and the ideas of hope and freedom, giving the illusion that the company is good and can be trusted (which may or may not be the case).
The Statue of Liberty is located on Liberty Island (ne Bedloe's Island) which is just off the shore of New York City. Looking past the monument in one direction you see the vast openness of the ocean and looking in the other you see the towering buildings of New York. The Statue of Liberty wasn't just placed here randomly. Although it could have been effective in another city both Laboulaye and Bartholdi were adamant that the statue had to be in New York. With the original choice for location going between Liberty Island, Battery Park and Central Park. The two parks were ditched because the horizon was blocked by the surrounding skyscrapers. This meant that the effect of the massive monument would be lessened, so the symbolic power would not be as great as it is today.
Liberty Island was the perfect location for the Statue of Liberty for several reasons:
- Firstly the New York harbour tends to be calm. Placed in the harbour the statue would be protected from harsh weather most of the time. However Liberty has faced her deal of harsh weather, she has survived blizzards, hurricanes, strong winds and has remained more or less the same. Liberty was made to be resistant to high wind speeds and her size is a likely factor that helps her stand high pressure. She has had to have weather repairs but no more then any other statue or monument would (For example the torch was replaced in 1986). In fact the weather that has made the most impact on the Statue of Liberty is the 'corrosion of time' which affected the colour of the copper (changing it from a red-brown to the blue-green we know today.
- Secondly the New York Harbour was the main entry point to the United States. This was important as as immigrants, migrants and refugees from other countries came in to America via New York, the first thing they would see would be the Statue of Liberty against the backdrop of the skyscrapers of New York. They would see neoclassical Liberty raising her torch to light the way to freedom, they would see the tablet she is holding dating the date of American Independence, they would see the chains broken at her feet all symbolising breaking free from slavery. It doesn't matter what background these people come from because as they see the statue of Liberty against New York, they see freedom, the chance to live a new life.
- Thirdly sitting alone on the harbour gives the monument all the space it needs. It isn't lost among trees and buildings, instead it stands alone towering above the ocean. This gives the powerful effect that the designer was hoping for. The Statue of Liberty is the point of focus on the harbour, every time it is looked at it, it is an encourager. People from all over New York can look across the waters and see a reminder of the freedom that their country has accomplished in getting to today. They can get encouraged by the upwards pointing hand to surge on forwards, to keep going, not to give up just yet, to pursue your dreams.
But this is not just a symbol of encouragement to New York. The Statue of Liberty appears all over America, whether in lectures, in advertising or as a soft plump toy, it can be found everywhere. Every time someone sees Liberty in some form they are reminded of the victory they have won as a country against tyranny and oppression. Even though this was a gift from France, people know that their ancestors contributed to the pedestal and so contributed to helping the idea come to life. The fact that it was the people of these two nations who paid for the monument makes it more special, as if it had just been the government then it would not represent the people fighting for change as strong as it does today. The citizens are a part of the statue, it is their history, it is their freedom being shown. Liberty's everlasting torch is an everlasting symbol of knowledge and enlightenment, her stance with the right foot raised a symbol that as a nation, America is always moving forward. The Statue of Liberty is an encourager to everyone in the United States of America and in fact everyone in the whole world. Kindly telling us that we should live each day taking a small step in the continued fight for equality, independence, freedom. Whether through a smile, or a lunch, or a protest, like Liberty we need to keep moving forward, keep fighting for change..
Although this was not the purpose for which the monument was built, my next point must be commented on. One a more commercial level, because the Statue of Liberty has such as powerful effect and has become known all over America, it has helped many companies gin strength. It has increased tourism to New York bringing more money into the city and has had a knock on effect on other states. As well as bringing tourists to the country, the Statue of Liberty has opened a whole new line of merchandise. You can buy the classic Liberty crowns to wear on your own head, there are mugs, t'shirts, post cars, balloons, just to name a few products. The Statue of Liberty has also helped companies who effectively choose to use her symbol. By associating themselves with the monument, they are associating themselves with the values attached to it and the ideas of hope and freedom, giving the illusion that the company is good and can be trusted (which may or may not be the case).
Bibliography for the Statue of Liberty:
http://www.libertyellisfoundation.org
http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Statue_of_Liberty.aspx
http://www.nyctrip.com/pages/index.aspx?pageID=1143
https://www.nps.gov/stli/learn/historyculture/statue-statistics.htm
http://www.libertyellisfoundation.org
http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Statue_of_Liberty.aspx
http://www.nyctrip.com/pages/index.aspx?pageID=1143
https://www.nps.gov/stli/learn/historyculture/statue-statistics.htm