Ethiopia converted to Christianity in the 4th century AD and the predominantly Christian north is replete with cultural monuments to amaze even the most jaundiced sightseer.
As my former colleague on the United States Commission of Fine Arts, Michael McKinnell, pointed out when the commission reviewed the design (we unanimously approved the general concept), this is, in effect, a roofless building; more specifically, it is a roofless classical temple — in a city replete with classical monuments.
"Guitars, guitars and more guitars," was Corgan's promise some months ago, and Monuments is replete with them, multitracked, and most hooked up to Corgan's favourite effects pedal, the one marked "swirl".
The monument is replete with symbolism: two slabs of black granite, nearly seven feet tall, represent the twin towers and stand within a five-sided reflecting pool that suggests the Pentagon.
An ongoing installation, Manifest Destiny, includes replicas of US flags baring 59 stars installed on flagpoles outside various Federal-and state-owned monuments and buildings, replete with explanatory plaques.
Budapest has some experience with monuments transubstaniating.
The picture painted by authorities is a tabloid monument to financial fakery, replete with whispers of rare diamonds, Iraqi oil, connections to the Chinese Politburo and even to American presidents.
Most immediate was the incongruous sight of his being given an elaborate Buddhist funeral, replete with 72 chanting monks, and being laid to rest in a concrete monument on the grounds of a temple.
So replete with memories.
Russia was replete with talent.
