There are many factors a department or committee should consider when deciding to construct a monument. The following are suggestions based on acquired experience that should help navigate some of the decision process.
Site
Establish a site first. You may or may not have any control over the location however, if possible, choose one that will be accessible for patrons, attractive, and secure. You should make an attempt to isolate your statue from other sculptures or focal points located nearby.
- Consider how many people the site will comfortably host and plan to accommodate parking.
- Is the site an appropriate size to host an annual ceremony, Honor guard detail, department outing, and or support a multitude of Public Relations events?
- Consider the overall topography such as trees, shrubbery, hills, and valleys because this will ultimately be your backdrop. These landscape features may or may not be modifiable. You might need to consult and coordinate landscape alterations with the parks or forestry department.
- Locate and or consider waste receptacles for trash disposal.
- Establish the closest utility access for potential lighting and or water features. Adjust any automatic watering systems to avoid the monument.
Size
There are four industry standard sizes for monuments.
- Life size (6 foot),
- Heroic (7 1/2 foot),
- Size and a half (9 1/2 foot)
- Twice life (12 foot).
The Budget allocated and or donations raised may ultimately dictate the maximum size statue you will be able to commission however; larger is not always the answer. A statue should be in balance and compliment the grounds. You neither want to overpower the area nor have the statue get lost in it. Imagine how your monument will be viewed by the public; the different angles and approaches. What is the line of site while driving past, from walking paths, sitting on an adjacent bench, standing next to it and even sitting on the ground? Does your monument and site layout promote photo opportunities for patrons?
Base
Choosing an appropriate base for your monument is just as important as selecting the monument itself. When erected with your statue, they need to complement each other and balance the site. We traditionally cast most statues with some type of shallow base. This base, outfitted with concealed mounting pins, can be mounted directly to the ground (concrete/granite slab) or atop any stone pedestal.
Consider how you want the viewer to experience the statue when they approach your monument area. Do you want them to walk up close to the statue or enjoy it from a distance? Do you prefer to adjust the base to keep the center mass of the statue at eye level or elevate it to calling for them to look up? Do you want to allow people to be close enough to stand next to the statue or even touch it or keep it out of arms reach?
A stone base of some type adds elevation, depth, color, and security to a statue. A smaller statue can seem larger just by elevating it, achieving that heroic feel. It is also an added clever feature when it is possible to construct the base of your monument from your state stone. The base can also be used to convey additional messages to the spectator by being etched to include historic information, dates, names, mission statement, or core values.
Additions
Other contributions to your site might include:
Maintenance
Our statues are sealed with a durable Incralac coating. This coating is engineered specifically for the copper bearing alloys found in bronze monuments. It has a corrosion inhibitor and protects the statue from damaging ultraviolet rays. This coating will withstand the elements 24 hours a day 365 days a year however, over time heat from the summer, pelting rain, wind, and freezing weather will begin naturally change the look of the statue. Some organizations welcome this oxidation or patina process such as with the Statue of Liberty. You can preserve the rich look of your statue by annually washing it gently and applying a renaissance style wax. It is best to apply the wax to a warm or heated surface with a rag or brush. Liberty has resources and services available to help maintain your statue.
Sculpture
Your sculpture should be designed to convey a particular feeling to the observer such as remembrance or inspiration. Consider the feeling you want to convey when selecting the image of your statue and make sure it will be cohesive with the overall setting.
Our goal is to surpass your monument expectations.