Edinburgh & Glasgow Local Monuments |
| 1) The Call |
Location – High Street, part of The Royal Mile, Edinburgh
Typology - Commemorative. Neoclassical seated figure.
Construction / Completion Dates - Commissioned by The Saltire Society Unveiled 1997
Description - Literal figurative, 1.5-x scale patinated Bronze.
David Hume “We want to make a radical, even boring, statue because it is boring statues which eventually become interesting and respected. One made to entertain often becomes tedious and perfunctory.” Sandy Stoddart.
The seated figure of Hume is not dressed in period costume but Stoddart has portrayed Hume in a toga or similar more ancient attire. Hume is portrayed as a classical philosopher (Aristotle, Plato) in order to emphasise his Historical importance. The seated pose within the sculpture has traditionally denoted an academic or religious role, where as a standing and pointing figure indicates a political role. The artist at first envisaged creating a ‘ Mount Rushmore’ style sculpture carved out of Salisbury crags, a prominent volcanic outcrop within the heart of Edinburgh. The sculpture is Classical and heroic.
Recently a group of political activists have used the Hume monument as a vehicle to highlight their cause by securing political motifs and posters to the Iconic Tablet. It can be seen that this sculpture is not only a monument to Hume but a conduit and focal point to keep his philosophies alive and relevant today.
Artist - Alexander ‘Sandy’ Stoddart
Urban – Rural Context -
Urban, City centre. Retail, tourist, entertainment, parliamentary, legal and academic district
Rationale – To commemorate DH as philosopher and academic and his contribution to the Scottish enlightenment
“Hume was without doubt one of the most influential thinkers of all time. More than two hundred years after his death, it is surely time that we had a statue to the man”
Nigel Bruce, Convenor of the Saltire society
“Hume ranks with the greatest of Edinburgh Alumni. Much of the thinking of our contemporary world owes its shape to Hume. It is absolutely right that we, In Edinburgh, recognise him in this way.”
Professor Stewart Sutherland, Principal of Edinburgh University.
