Commemoration: Visual texts

Introduction

This course explores the commemoration of war through treating two war memorials – the Sandham Memorial Chapel and the Royal Artillery Memorial – as 'visual texts'. By helping you to respond to visual cues the course aims for you to develop your understanding of these memorials, not only as memorials but as artifacts or 'made objects'. It does this through consideration of such factors as the location of the monument; its function and purpose; its symbolism or realism; use of materials and overall form.

Learning outcomes

After studying this course, you should be able to:

• Understand that 'texts' are not restricted to the written word
• Understand war memorials as text
• Interpret a visual text at a basic level.