ABSTRACT
War memorials occupy a central place in the version of history offered by official culture through its monuments. The Kings Park War Memorial is both a specific structure and a pervasive presence in the park. The male memorial is set in a position of power, overlooking Perth and visible for kilometres. The explict and offensive racism of the memorial in the Esplanade Park, Fremantle, to three explorers may be ideologically more acceptable in that it openly celebrates the racial conflict which is made invisible in the history constructed by Kings Park. Art galleries are another important class of monument, erected by governments as official contributions to Australian culture. The art collections and their arrangement constitute the other major message system of art galleries. Among the range of monuments contributed by the State to Australian culture there is at least one that is unequivocally a success: the Sydney Opera House.
