Upside down monument in Australia: subtle irony or silly joke? (4 photos)

Australia in the capital of Victoria, Melbourne, can be seen monument, which, due to its unusual execution, gained fame around the world. This monument was erected in honor of the lieutenant-governor then the colony of Victoria - Charles La Trobe.





Now Melbourne is the most "southern" millionaire city in the world, It is located around Port Phillip Bay. Melbourne is also considered cultural and sports capital of Australia, in 1956 there was even the Summer Olympic Games were held.

And seven times in a row, Melbourne was named the best not only in Australia, but also on the whole planet the city for living with the highest comfort level. However, this prosperous country in all respects was once one of the British colonies. And in 1839 the first head first of the district of Port Phillip, and later - a separate The colony-settlement of Victoria became Charles La Trobe. Now in La Trobe's honor Melbourne named street, river, valley, brown coal basin, university, college, library and more.



The Charles La Trobe Monument in Melbourne is considered one of the most original sculptures in the world. All because the Australian sculptor Charles Robb decided to place the figure in a different vertical position, but upside down. Robb did this not only to the monument turned out to be the most unusual. The architect wanted this way show how often people put some completely meaningless monuments and sculptures, while forgetting to really perpetuate figures important to history.

In such a peculiar move, Robb criticized the value system the whole society. When the monument to La Trobe was first shown at the exhibition, reactions to it were mixed. Some thought it was a joke and even an insult to the memory of La Trobe. Others, on the contrary, saw in sculpture courage and originality. It should be noted that this was the first Charles La Trobe in Melbourne. Therefore, be that as it may, but its purpose sculptor Robb still achieved.





Charles La Trobe was not only the ruler of the colony of Victoria. He also enjoyed mountain climbing and writing. Generally Charles was a gentle and romantic person by nature, so his The government was constantly criticized.

But it is thanks to La Trobe that today England has its own stunning Royal Botanic Gardens. Also Charles La Trobe provided assistance in the construction of the library, the Victoria Museum, the National Victoria and University of Melbourne Galleries. It becomes clear why the creator of the monument really wanted people looking at this architectural masterpiece, remembered a man of genius - Charles La Trobe. the same unusual, like his monument.



There are two more versions about the unusual location of the figure La Trobe. According to one of them, such an inverted position emphasizes the purpose of all universities and institutes in general - turn upside down some established, stereotypical, and often outdated knowledge.

The second version was proposed by the curator of the museum at the University named after La Trobe. He said: "Charles La Trobe was from England (where on that side of the Earth live antipodes who walk upside down). Therefore, if look through the eyes of an Englishman, then everything seems to be normal.