Red is known as a symbol of intensity. The clouds, sky, and even water are strewn in various shades of red. Though the Statue of Liberty still shines bright among the color, even she is strewn with this dominant shade. It could be interpreted as a representation of blood and violence; however, red can also be a representation of love and passion. The explanation of the color depends on the subject matter and where it has come from: "Color is important in art and in various cultures around the world. People of the world see color differently," (http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/lessons/middle/color2.htm). Considering the subject matter is based in the western world, the color red more than likely represents "power and aggression," since this is the typical view of western culture. With the bright reds dominating the entire picture, the impression is that the freedom and hope, which the Lady of Liberty offers, is made at a high price. People's liberty have been won through violence or force. Despite the color of red overwhelming the picture, throughout the sea and skies of this hue, the Statue of Liberty still stands with the glow of the sun behind her back.
Since the sun is the only part if the picture that brightens the album cover, the illumination of Lady Liberty gives great importance to this picture. The sun is brilliant and acts as a symbolism of glory and power. Some say the sun, "…represents happiness, life, and spirituality. The rising sun is a symbol of hope," (http://www.houseofnames.com/xq/asp/keyword.sun/qx/symbolism_details.htm)....
Since the sun is magnifying Lady Liberty by keeping her bright among the sea and standing out from the red foreground, the Statue of Liberty could still be depicting a symbolism of hope among all of the burden and disappointment that the rest of the scene bares. Although things seem bleak, America is still striving against adversity. Despite the struggles of immigration laws and the imperfections of the country, Lady Liberty is still standing strong and shining as a beacon of hope and freedom, which means that America is still trying to stand strong and live up to the initial principals this nation was founded on, though it is now struggling to break through the violence and pressure previously discussed.
Although the name of the album, "Zeitgeist," acts as a further form of explanation of the album cover, a methodical interpretation of the album's art work is clear enough. The definition of the word, zeitgeist, which is, "the spirit of the time" (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/zeitgeist) show the contradiction of the statue's symbolism of freedom. Likewise, the characteristics of the rest of the artistry on the album cover show that the musical artists belief that times have changed. What the Statue of Liberty used to represent, what our great nation used to stand for, has now been tainted over the years by the grievances that have been formed with numerous immigration laws and ongoing racism; however, our nation is still trying, despite it all.
