The Buzlundzha Monument at 4:19: While Bulgaria was part of the communist bloc from the end of World War II until 1989, it was never part of the Soviet Union.
The Soviets forced the 18yrold Tsar Simeon of Bulgaria into exile(now 87 and living in a Bulgarian Royal Palace), they may have also poisoned his father Tsar Boris III(other suspects being the Nazis and the Italian Fascist government). Boris III was against Fascism and Nazism but the elected government wasn’t. He even interfered in the deportation demands, made on his Jewish citizens. Dimitrov(who had his own version of the Lenin Mausoleum, since dynamited) was then helped into power by the Soviets. At one point there was an abortive attempt made for Bulgaria to join Yugoslavia. Dimitrov was however appalled at how Serbo-centric such union was to be. Dimitrov and other communist officials had Tsar Boris disinterred and buried in a secret location. Many believe to hide his poisoning.
The Vessel just doesn’t make sense to me. Maybe if there were something of interest to look down on other than city streets. As it is, it’s just an elaborate cardio workout machine. The Embrace is woefully misbegotten. It may have looked good as a desk top model, but at that scale, there is indeed something disturbing about it.
I like to think there was someone in 14th Century India that had the guts to say out loud: "so the sultan is dead... do we have to keep building this?"
According to it’s developer, Stephen Ross, he “wanted to commission something transformational, monumental,” so if it’s not a monument, it’s at least monumental 😁
Those Soviet era monuments are really eye catching and unique. A pity they have fallen into disrepair, but I understand that the opposition to restoring them.
You should have included "The B of the Bang", which was installed in Manchester to commemorate the Commonwealth Games (it was based on a quote by the British sprinter Linford Christie, who said that you have to start running on "the B of the bang"). It was a marvellous sculpture, but started to fall apart after a few years and had to be dismantled for safety reasons.
You didn't mention that the National Monument in Scotland is in Edinburgh. A more niche Scottish one is McCaig's Folly in Oban - a delightful small town on the west coast . It was supposed to encourage Scottish sculpture but the money ran out. Great video though.
Here's one you missed, according to Wikipedia. And I have seen it and attest that it is...unusual. " A Tribute to Courage is the world's tallest statue of an American Hero. Standing on a 10-foot granite base, the 67-foot tall statue of Sam Houston is visible from I-45 northbound for 6.5 miles. David Adickes, the creator of Big Sam, transformed 60 tons of concrete and steel into the monument and dedicated the statue to the City of Huntsville on October 22, 1994."
Is there a video on the top 10 popular, successful monuments? The Cloud Gate in Chicago, Gateway Arch in St. Louis and Crazy Horse/Mount Rushmore would be on my list. I’d also include the WW2 and Vietnam Memorials in DC.
@ you are entitled to your opinion, but have you ever visited Mount Rushmore? , have you stayed for the lighting presentation in the evening? The faces and the history they represent are enough for me and the millions of patriotic Americans that have viewed the monument over the decades. I don’t need to see their necks, shoulders ect.
Rushmore was built and funded by actual Klansmen and the KKK held huge rallies there. Besides its intent as a monument to white supremacy, it's also openly a tourist trap. It's pretty underwhelming when you get there and see how tiny it is, and also how ugly it is, ruining a beautiful mountain sacred to the Lakota as the Six Grandfathers. Crazy Horse is a completely separate monument, over 90% unfinished and always will be. It doesn't look remotely like Crazy Horse. There's no known photos or drawings of him. It looks about as "Native" as Audrey Hepburn or Burt Lancaster did when they played Natives on film. You laugh out loud at how ridiculous the attempt is. The would be monument actually resembles the scupltor's own face. So these would be two of the least successful monuments. One of them already listed as such in this video.
I actually think the Bedford Pyramid would have been a good monument if fully built. We need more monuments to show off local pride. Also, my hometown granite is used in a monument. The Washington monument.
Interesting. I was expecting to see you list the Jefferson Davis memorial monument in in rural Kentucky. It's a replica of the George Washington Monument in DC but in the middle of nowhere and seldom visited.
Not a monument per se but the Vaillancourt Fountain in San Francisco is one of the ugliest public structures ever. Noted San Francisco newspaper columnist Herb Caen famously described it as having been "deposited by a dog with a square intestine"
A monument is a type of structure that was explicitly created to commemorate a person or event, or which has become relevant to a social group as a part of their remembrance of historic times or cultural heritage, due to its artistic, historical, political, technical or architectural importance.[1] Examples of monuments include statues, (war) memorials, historical buildings, archaeological sites, and cultural assets. If there is a public interest in its preservation For all the know it alls here dogging the guy with actually knowing the definition of a monument which covers pretty much anything that becomes culturally relevant.
You are certainly not up to date on the Crazy Horse monument in South Dakota. In addition to the face, the outstretched arm is happening, and especially the detailed hand with its pointing finger. There is nothing “failed” here. It’s just a slow process, considering it’s a private enterprise and thankfully without government interference.
If it was a government project, the taxpayers would have shut it down decades ago. Every few months or so they blow up some rocks to give the appearance of still working on it but in reality it's little more than a money grab from gullible tourists. Just consider: In the timeframe since this so-called monument was started, the government has funded and completed the US Interstate Highway System, the Global Positioning System, and the internet.
Where is Mt Rushmore? It was supposed to be full body carvings, instead it's only the heads with rubble not taken away. This one is so obvious, yet missing.
I think the Vessel is a great monument and shouldn't be closed to public because someone decided to take their own life there. I live in San Francisco and the Golden Gate bridge was famous for people committing suicide too. We never shutdown the Golden Gate bridge because of that.
You aren't even allowed to paddle in it, which I think was the original idea of the architect. This was to reflect the lighter side of her life and her liking for children. At one time they had security men to make sure people didn't paddle, as there was the paranoia of someone slipping over.
Please, would you be kind to correct the following - 1. Bulgaria was NEVER part of the USSR. 2. The peak this communist monstrosity sits is called Buzludzha (the dzh is pronounced like the J in John)
Glad to hear someone narrating and not some computer-generated voice mispronouncing words and names. Thank you.
Thanks!! Appreciate it!
The Buzlundzha Monument at 4:19: While Bulgaria was part of the communist bloc from the end of World War II until 1989, it was never part of the Soviet Union.
Dont let facts get in the way of a good story lol
Nobody cares; it’s not important; there will be no test. 🤦♂️
Thank you for the clarification .
@@whatifschrodingersboxwasacofin I appreciated the clarification. It's a whole country of people, not a blank spot on a map!
Bulgaria was never Part of the Soviet Union, it was a separate Communist state - albeit pressed to be communist as a result of Soviet invasion in WWII
Appreciate the clarification!
The Soviets forced the 18yrold Tsar Simeon of Bulgaria into exile(now 87 and living in a Bulgarian Royal Palace), they may have also poisoned his father Tsar Boris III(other suspects being the Nazis and the Italian Fascist government). Boris III was against Fascism and Nazism but the elected government wasn’t. He even interfered in the deportation demands, made on his Jewish citizens.
Dimitrov(who had his own version of the Lenin Mausoleum, since dynamited) was then helped into power by the Soviets. At one point there was an abortive attempt made for Bulgaria to join Yugoslavia. Dimitrov was however appalled at how Serbo-centric such union was to be. Dimitrov and other communist officials had Tsar Boris disinterred and buried in a secret location. Many believe to hide his poisoning.
The Vessel just doesn’t make sense to me. Maybe if there were something of interest to look down on other than city streets. As it is, it’s just an elaborate cardio workout machine.
The Embrace is woefully misbegotten. It may have looked good as a desk top model, but at that scale, there is indeed something disturbing about it.
Cuz it’s an art sculpture not a monument. Doesn’t fit the video and it’s definition of a monument like any of the other examples
The Vessel's "tragic" incidents: it was people's favorite place to commit suicide in New York City
I like to think there was someone in 14th Century India that had the guts to say out loud: "so the sultan is dead... do we have to keep building this?"
The Vessel isn’t, nor ever was, a monument. It’s a sculpture. Huge difference. Sculptures built as art are’t monuments.
Interesting opinion
According to it’s developer, Stephen Ross, he “wanted to commission something transformational, monumental,”
so if it’s not a monument, it’s at least monumental 😁
Now, it should be. Hope there's some kind of remembrance for those poor souls.
@@ecamp6360how much are you donating?
@lawrencewiddis2447 Sorry, I don't donate to billionaires.
Those Soviet era monuments are really eye catching and unique. A pity they have fallen into disrepair, but I understand that the opposition to restoring them.
Luckily I came across your channel and now I'm a subscriber for life! Truly interesting educational! Bravo!
Glad you're enjoying it! Thanks for watching!
Very interesting. Thank you for sharing
Glad you enjoyed it!
excellent video!
Thanks!
You should have included "The B of the Bang", which was installed in Manchester to commemorate the Commonwealth Games (it was based on a quote by the British sprinter Linford Christie, who said that you have to start running on "the B of the bang"). It was a marvellous sculpture, but started to fall apart after a few years and had to be dismantled for safety reasons.
Appreciate the suggestion!
Came here to suggest this also.
You didn't mention that the National Monument in Scotland is in Edinburgh. A more niche Scottish one is McCaig's Folly in Oban - a delightful small town on the west coast . It was supposed to encourage Scottish sculpture but the money ran out. Great video though.
The National Monument was once known as Scotland's Disgrace.
Here's one you missed, according to Wikipedia. And I have seen it and attest that it is...unusual. " A Tribute to Courage is the world's tallest statue of an American Hero. Standing on a 10-foot granite base, the 67-foot tall statue of Sam Houston is visible from I-45 northbound for 6.5 miles. David Adickes, the creator of Big Sam, transformed 60 tons of concrete and steel into the monument and dedicated the statue to the City of Huntsville on October 22, 1994."
Appreciate the suggestion!
Love this, I always learn something new in these videos!
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!
4:23 Bulgaria was never part of the Soviet Union. Yes, it was a member of the Warsaw Pact, but it wasn't part of the USSR.
Yeah calling Bulgaria "a former Soviet Republic" is akin to saying "The US state of Canada"
Appreciate the correction!
Is there a video on the top 10 popular, successful monuments? The Cloud Gate in Chicago, Gateway Arch in St. Louis and Crazy Horse/Mount Rushmore would be on my list. I’d also include the WW2 and Vietnam Memorials in DC.
Mt Rushmore a success??? It's not finished. It was supposed to be full-body and the rubble was never removed. Makes it look like a mess.
@ you are entitled to your opinion, but have you ever visited Mount Rushmore? , have you stayed for the lighting presentation in the evening? The faces and the history they represent are enough for me and the millions of patriotic Americans that have viewed the monument over the decades. I don’t need to see their necks, shoulders ect.
Rushmore was built and funded by actual Klansmen and the KKK held huge rallies there. Besides its intent as a monument to white supremacy, it's also openly a tourist trap. It's pretty underwhelming when you get there and see how tiny it is, and also how ugly it is, ruining a beautiful mountain sacred to the Lakota as the Six Grandfathers.
Crazy Horse is a completely separate monument, over 90% unfinished and always will be. It doesn't look remotely like Crazy Horse. There's no known photos or drawings of him. It looks about as "Native" as Audrey Hepburn or Burt Lancaster did when they played Natives on film. You laugh out loud at how ridiculous the attempt is. The would be monument actually resembles the scupltor's own face.
So these would be two of the least successful monuments. One of them already listed as such in this video.
Like most monuments , soviets are the worse, they are kitch.@@ginoderose1258
I actually think the Bedford Pyramid would have been a good monument if fully built. We need more monuments to show off local pride.
Also, my hometown granite is used in a monument. The Washington monument.
Interesting. I was expecting to see you list the Jefferson Davis memorial monument in in rural Kentucky. It's a replica of the George Washington Monument in DC but in the middle of nowhere and seldom visited.
Yeah, I remember coming across it purely by chance one day about 35 years ago......
The spikes along the road… artist was a fan of Vlad the Impaler 😅
a kinetic sculpture that doesn't move .... ! --- that fits Texas alright !
The Embrace looks like hands holding a giant turd 💩
Soviet brutalist architecture are amazing
Some of it is super cool!
Not a monument per se but the Vaillancourt Fountain in San Francisco is one of the ugliest public structures ever. Noted San Francisco newspaper columnist Herb Caen famously described it as having been "deposited by a dog with a square intestine"
Quite the imagery!! haha
A monument is a type of structure that was explicitly created to commemorate a person or event, or which has become relevant to a social group as a part of their remembrance of historic times or cultural heritage, due to its artistic, historical, political, technical or architectural importance.[1] Examples of monuments include statues, (war) memorials, historical buildings, archaeological sites, and cultural assets. If there is a public interest in its preservation
For all the know it alls here dogging the guy with actually knowing the definition of a monument which covers pretty much anything that becomes culturally relevant.
The vessel is pointless. 4:01 That piece of garbage is supposed 3 honor MLK?
You are certainly not up to date on the Crazy Horse monument in South Dakota. In addition to the face, the outstretched arm is happening, and especially the detailed hand with its pointing finger. There is nothing “failed” here. It’s just a slow process, considering it’s a private enterprise and thankfully without government interference.
The name of the video is “failed and unusual monuments” … a monument construction project that is set to take 100+ years qualified as “unusual”
@@BuildingTales Then you should have listed Mt Rushmore to the List as It's not finished Either and Never will be
If it was a government project, the taxpayers would have shut it down decades ago. Every few months or so they blow up some rocks to give the appearance of still working on it but in reality it's little more than a money grab from gullible tourists. Just consider: In the timeframe since this so-called monument was started, the government has funded and completed the US Interstate Highway System, the Global Positioning System, and the internet.
It stopped being a monument decades ago. Now it's just a cash grab from gullible tourists. They're never going to finish it.
The pyramid and the wall would have been awesome. People are petty. If it doesn't further their adjective then ruin it for everyone else.
Woulda certainly been interesting to see!
Where is Mt Rushmore? It was supposed to be full body carvings, instead it's only the heads with rubble not taken away. This one is so obvious, yet missing.
I think the Vessel is a great monument and shouldn't be closed to public because someone decided to take their own life there. I live in San Francisco and the Golden Gate bridge was famous for people committing suicide too. We never shutdown the Golden Gate bridge because of that.
Great video. There will always be people who want to squabble over the nitty-gritty.
Let them make their own videos. 😉
Haha agreed! Thanks for the encouragement!
Very open ended definitions of failed and monument.
Yep!
"Monuments"?!
Yep, monuments
@BuildingTales Ohhhh.
don't change. but do monitor your audio and back off from the mic as you are popping your "p's".
Thanks for the feedback!
The memorial fountain to Diana, Princess of Wales is awful. I could not believe what I saw, it is justa gutter.
You aren't even allowed to paddle in it, which I think was the original idea of the architect. This was to reflect the lighter side of her life and her liking for children. At one time they had security men to make sure people didn't paddle, as there was the paranoia of someone slipping over.
Bulgaria was part of the Soviet Union in exactly the same sense that England was part of the United States.
$500,000 (about $2,000,000 in 2024 money) worth of government rocks. In the words of "nextdoor Joe" who is always yelling at his kids: SO STUPID!
Please, would you be kind to correct the following - 1. Bulgaria was NEVER part of the USSR. 2. The peak this communist monstrosity sits is called Buzludzha (the dzh is pronounced like the J in John)
For $150,000,000, think of the good that could have been done in NYC. But no, they got The Vessel for the immigrants and the homeless to enjoy.
Spelling errors galore.
Thakns for wattching!
Sculptures are literally not monuments and visa versa.
Quick note: Bulgaria was not part of the Soviet Union although it was a member of the Warsaw Pact.
Appreciate the clarification!