Fascinating story about the man who brought the Stone Mountain carving to life (Martin: lawsuits, design)

[wasel]

He died yesterday, and the story about him in the AJC is fascinating in that he had no experience in this type of work before being part of this team. I also didn't realize this is the largest bas-relief sculpture in the world.

(Please, let's not let this thread devolve into an issue about whether the sculpture is appropriate. That is for another thread/time. This is more about someone who had a hand creating a local landmark.)

Roy Faulkner, the man who carved Stone Mountain, dead at 84 | www.ajc.com

[arjay57]

Quite an achievement.

As the article points out, the carvers had to work up close and were not able to step back and get perspective. I have always marveled at that.

[krogerDisco]

Originally Posted by arjay57

Quite an achievement.

As the article points out, the carvers had to work up close and were not able to step back and get perspective. I have always marveled at that.

I agree. Like with Mount Rushmore, I have no idea how they do it. Personally, I'd have preferred if they had left Stone Mountain in its natural state.

[ATLTJL]

The article says the carving is controversial.

Of course, we all know that now. My question is, were there any dissenting voices at the time of its creation?

[Newsboy]

Originally Posted by krogerDisco

I agree. Like with Mount Rushmore, I have no idea how they do it. Personally, I'd have preferred if they had left Stone Mountain in its natural state.

Stone Mountain is MUCH bigger and more impressive than Mount Rushmore, which is a tacky tourist trap IMO. The town at the base of Mount Rushmore is like Gatlinburg -- tacky as hell.

[primaltech]

Forget the Confederacy, I think the biggest offense about the carving is that it defaces such a unique natural wonder.

That said, I'm used to it, it's always been there, no big deal. I like the carving. And at least it is oriented nicely with that cool field/pond/museum.

Lots of great childhood memories with the laser show. And you gotta love those cable cars.

[arjay57]

The carving is unique in that it's unlikely things like that will ever be created again in the U.S.

There would be too many environmental impact statements, historic preservation lawsuits, protests about the purpose and appearance of the carving, funding battles, you name it.

[magnetar]

Originally Posted by arjay57

The carving is unique in that it's unlikely things like that will ever be created again in the U.S.

I choose to see it as a monument to progress, because every time I look at it, I'm reassured that we would never do something like that again. We have a long way to go, but we've come so far in terms of both racial awareness and environmental awareness.

[krogerDisco]

Originally Posted by Newsboy

Stone Mountain is MUCH bigger and more impressive than Mount Rushmore, which is a tacky tourist trap IMO. The town at the base of Mount Rushmore is like Gatlinburg -- tacky as hell.

But far more iconic than Stone Mountain. Mount Rushmore and its carving is used far more in pop culture than Stone Mountain.

[ATLTJL]

Mount Rushmore and its carving is used far more in pop culture than Stone Mountain

And that's where the real folly of the divisive design comes in. Had it been a carving of Martin Luther King with a scene of the Civil Rights movement behind him, it may have earned a place in pop culture. Had it been a notable Indian chief with a scene of Native Americans, that may have earned a place as well. It could have even been a Mt Rushmore II with Truman, Eisenhower, Roosevelt, and Kennedy on it.

Whether you find the subject matter of the carving distasteful or not, it certainly made sure that it would never be celebrated by the entire nation.