What's the Point? Trivia Quiz

Answer: Barcelona

Sculpted by Rafael Atché and constructed for the Barcelona Universal Exposition in 1888. More than just a statue, it tops out at 60 metres (197 feet) tall after accounting for the Corinthian column, pedestal, and plinth supporting the statue, each of which has more imagery relating to Columbus' first voyage to the Americas.

An elevator inside the column takes visitors up to a viewing platform just below the socle that supports the statue.

Why Barcelona, you ask? It was where Columbus reported to Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand upon his return from his first voyage.

Answer: Bum facing town

With the bare bottom of the statue facing not only the city of Toulon, but also the city hall, you could say the statue's existence became the 'butt' of many jokes. The nickname of 'Cuverville' only increased the statue's popularity with Admiral Cuverville's coincidental command appointment.

On the serious side of things, the statue was commissioned to represent the genius of navigation, and the names of many great navigators from the early days of seafaring to modern times are inscribed on the pedestal.

Standing 5.4 m (17 ft, 9 in) above its base, the 1,300 kg (2,866 lbs) bronze statue remained in place for nearly 100 years before being damaged during World War II. It was many years before it was restored and reclaimed its place (in 1997).

Answer: Theodore Roosevelt

The statue was created by French sculptor Fernand Hamar and is actually a slightly larger copy of the original statue erected in 1900 in Vendôme, France.

Rochambeau was the commander of all French forces in America during the War for Independence and at the time, French and American interests coincided against the British. At the end of the 19th century, however, the Spanish-American War had strained the relationship between France and the United States. The dedication of this statue was a reminder of better times.

Reproduced on the statue's pedestal is a message from George Washington to Rochambeau, dated February 1st, 1784:

"We have been contemporaries and fellow labourers in the cause of liberty and we have lived together as brothers should do in harmonious friendship".

Answer: Crazy Horse

Located just 27 km (17 miles) away from Mt. Rushmore, many factors have led to the continued delay of the completion of this massive undertaking, not least of which is funding. It was designed by Polish-American sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski who originally thought it would take 30 years to complete.

To have an idea of the scope, if the president's heads from Mt. Rushmore were all stacked on top of each other, they'd reach just over halfway up the Crazy Horse monument. The planned dimensions are 171.6 m (563 feet) high and 195.4 m (641 feet) long.

Answer: Swedish

Despite his youth, King Karl XII managed to do quite well under duress in the early part of his reign. He regularly trounced his enemies in the field, despite having smaller numbers. Unfortunately, he would not accept offers of peace when he was in positions of strength, and this led to his ultimate downfall. In 1709 during his invasion of Russia, he suffered a massive defeat at Perevolochna, and was forced into exile. When he tried to regain his throne, he paid the ultimate price at the Siege of Fredriksten in 1718.

Voltaire quoted him saying, "I have resolved never to start an unjust war but never to end a legitimate one except by defeating my enemies."

The statue of Karl XII can be found in Stockholm in the Kungsträdgården (Swedish for "King's Garden"). It was designed by Swedish sculptor Johan Peter Molin for the 150th anniversary of the king's death (1868).

Answer: Arpino

Dating back to the 7th century BCE, Arpino (formerly Arpinum) tradition says that it was founded by Saturn, the father of the chief Roman gods. Maybe, maybe not. But what can be claimed in truth is that its most famous citizen was Cicero.

Marcus Tullius Cicero was more than just a statesman and orator, he was also a lawyer and philosopher who was intricately tied into the politics of the day, to the point where he was elected consul in the year 63 BCE. His term alongside Gaius Antonius Hybrida saw a conspiracy to overthrow his consulship, and he summarily executed five of the conspirators.

After Julius Caesar's dictatorship, Cicero sought a return to the traditional republic government, making himself the political rival of Mark Antony. But the political winds did not blow in his favour and the Second Triumvirate, comprised of Octavian (the future emperor Augustus), Mark Antony and Lepidus, had Cicero executed in 43 BCE.

Cicero's statue was created by Ferruccio Vecchie and was erected in Arpino's Piazza Municipio in 1958.

Answer: Senegal

The controversial African Renaissance Monument was constructed atop one of a set of twin hills in the Ouakam suburb of Dakar, taking four years to complete. It was the subject of many criticisms, not the least of which was the exorbitant cost to complete it: the equivalent of US$27 million. It was also constructed by a North Korean company and there was some question as to who actually designed it. Was it Senegalese artist Pierre Goudiaby Atepa or Romanian-born Virgil Magherusan?

Suffice it to say, the statue is imposing, standing a full 52 metres (172 feet) tall.

Answer: Nagasaki Peace Park

The Nagasaki Peace Park's 'Peace Statue' has many levels of symbolism. Rather than try to paraphrase them all, I am going to quote from Japan's travel information page (https://www.japan.travel/en/):

"The right hand pointing to the sky reminds us of the danger of nuclear weapons, while the extended left hand symbolizes eternal peace. The statue's face also embodies peace, while its closed eyes represent a prayer for the repose of the victims' souls.

His folded right leg is in meditation while the extended left leg is rooted to the ground, asking us to stand up and help the world. Take note of serene seated Buddha statues in Japan, and you will see where this posture came from."

Beneath the statue are inscribed the names of all who died from the bomb, either immediately, or from radiation poisoning afterwards.

Answer: Cricket

Graham Ibbotson sculpted the representation of 'Dickie' Bird in 2009, showing him standing in the familiar pose of one arm outstretched and pointing his index finger, indicating that a batsman is out. Unfortunately, the statue became a favourite backdrop for photos with various things dangling from the finger. So, to prevent further such shenanigans, the statue's base was altered in 2013 to increase the height.

Answer: False

This sculpture is, in fact, a lone piece. When the work was introduced in 2016 at the Singapore Art Museum, Lim Soo Ngee encouraged others to imagine his work as once being part of a colossal statue that guided the ships of an ancient, mythical civilisation. But he did not actually design any other parts to expand on the illusion.

After the initial exhibition at the Singapore Biennale in 2016, the sculpture was moved from the art museum's downtown location to Changi Beach on the north-eastern shore, across from Tekong Island.