Ep 5. Monumental Statues

Modern Marvels is an iconic television series that explores the most fascinating and incredible innovations of humankind. The fifth season, with its fifth episode entitled "Monumental Statues," delves deep into the world of magnificent sculptures and statues, their art, and the engineering feats behind them.

Throughout history, civilizations have erected monumental statues, primarily to convey messages of power, dominance, and strength. Highlighting some of the most remarkable, beautiful and famous sculptures in the world, this episode explores their history, engineering, and construction. From the towering colossi of ancient Egypt to the modern-day engineering Icon of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the episode reveals the secrets and challenges behind the creation of these majestic works of art.

The episode takes viewers behind the scenes of some of the most recognizable statues around the world. For instance, the gigantic statue of Genghis Khan in Mongolia and the 100 feet high statue of Shiva in India. Additionally, explore the Statue of Liberty, an enduring symbol of freedom and liberty that greets visitors to the United States. The creators of the statue used engineering methods consistent with the most advanced technology of that period, making it possible to erect the 300-foot towering statue without much ado. The episode shows how the statue's internal framework that supports its copper skin is independently structural, ensuring that the statue will remain standing, even during harsh weather conditions that occur frequently in New York's harbor zone.

Moreover, the show also covers the engineering and design challenges associated with creating monuments. For instance, how artists, engineers, and architects must address wind, temperature changes, shifting sand, corrosion, natural disasters such as earthquakes, and other external factors that may impact the statue's every inch. To avoid structural damage and erosion, experts have devised innovative ways of ensuring that the structures stand the test of time. For instance, the episode takes viewers to Easter Island, where their most iconic feature known as Moai Tuff. The colossal heads weigh over seventy tons, and experts believe that they had to be moved into their prominent position using a combination of ropes, tree branches, and logs, long before the availability of cranes and other advanced machinery.

Lastly, the episode explores the art behind creating monumental statues. Experts discuss the artistic design that goes into the making of a remarkable statue, including the shape, size, and overall style. For instance, whether to build a statue with an outstretched hand or arm raised or lowered. Usually, the shape and style of the statue depict the message that the statue is meant to convey. Beyond shaping the statue, artists must also decide on the material to use, whether it is bronze, stone, marble among others. Further, experts explain the different methods involved in sculpting, such as the lost-wax method and direct metal casting.

In conclusion, Modern Marvels season 5, episode 5 offers a fascinating insight into the world of monumental statues. The episode not only presents an overview of the history of these structures but also showcases the art and engineering behind their construction. It takes viewers to some of the most iconic and recognizable statues worldwide and highlights the delicate balance that must be achieved between aesthetics and engineering in creating these outstanding works of art. The documentary also reveals the many challenges associated with building these structures and the methods that experts use to ensure that they last for generations.