Giant Statues & Monuments
Giant statues and monuments are massive megastructures that tower over the surrounding landscape. Fictional giant statues and monuments come in a variety of forms. In fantasy worlds these fictional statues are often stone and carved in the likeness of old kings from ancient civilizations. In cyberpunk and science fiction worlds, these artworks may tower over megacities and city planets. These statues may mark the edges of a border or territory and may depict leaders, gods, heroes, animals, or have simple designs like obelisks, spheres, and pyramids.
| Synonyms: colossi, sculptures, artworks |
| Example Mythonyms: the Protector, the Colossus at Oberon |
Designing Fictional Giant Statues & Monuments
Archetypes
Overview
When designing giant statues & monuments consider why such a work is being or was constructed. These statues may be of religious or cultural significance, and may depict a god or important figure from history. Also consider the style of artwork and architecture that would be employed in the design of these works.
Fictional giant statues may mark the border of a country or act as a gatehouse into a town, city or port. Often they are located on a mountain, hill, river, or coast. If located on the ocean or lake, they may also serve as a lighthouse.
Giant statues may possess internal rooms and corridors. Rooms that look out from the highest point (or within a head) are common.
Giant statues left from an ancient civilization may be in ruins. Portions of the artwork may have collapsed, leaving heads, appendages, and other portions scattered across the landscape.
Magical giant statues may be animated.
Giant statues that are under construction may feature scaffolding surrounding them. In game worlds this scaffolding may offer worldbuilders a chance to design an additional play area. The construction of a new statue may herald the dawn of a new age, the ascension of a new leader, or the rise of a new religion. The destruction of a giant statue is often used as a metaphor for the fall of whatever power or person it represents.
Religious statues may be located at a religious site, and may be near to a sacred grove, church, temple, or related location. They may be a pilgrimage site.
Giant statues often have waterfalls, magma falls, or sandfalls cascading from their mouths, eyes, or outstretched hands.
