A Tear of Hope
From time to time I have written about sculptures that I have seen.
Today I make mention about another beautiful work of art. I have not actually seen it or had the opportunity to photograph it. In fact it was first brought to my attention by Conrad a few days ago.
Photo from snopes.com
The Teardrop Monument was a gift to the United States of America from Russia, after 9/11. It was made & installed by the Russians on the fifth anniversary of the 9-11 attacks, to honor those who lost their lives that fateful day. It stands right across from the Statue of Liberty.
It is a 100-foot-tall, 175-ton, bronze-clad sculpture, which encloses a 40-foot steel teardrop, entitled “To The Struggle Against World Terrorism’ by Russian sculptor Zurab Tsereteli.
The clean simple lines of the work appeal to my eye but it is the reaching out of one nation to another that really impresses me. Two nations who were arch enemies for so long drawn closer through tragedy.
You can find some more photos and information here.
elfinamsterdam said,
April 14, 2009 at 8:09 am
Oh thats lovely!
:)
Pity I didn’t know about it when I visited NYC in October, still its reason to go back
Lottie said,
April 14, 2009 at 8:33 am
Very lovely.
steph said,
April 14, 2009 at 9:26 am
It’s significance is very important but to me…
it resembles part of the female anatomy! Sorry
wisewebwoman said,
April 14, 2009 at 12:10 pm
It’s a gorgeous, piece, GM, and representative of so much pain in the world right now.
XO
WWW
Grannymar said,
April 14, 2009 at 1:09 pm
@Elf - Do you need an excuse?
@Lottie -
@Steph - Trust you!
@WWW - It is also a sign of reaching out to our fellow man!
Nick said,
April 14, 2009 at 1:16 pm
I agree, Russia reaching out to the USA is impressive. It’s also a very beautiful sculpture. I never heard about it either when I was in NYC last July. I’m surprised it isn’t more widely publicised as an obvious tourist attraction.
kenju said,
April 14, 2009 at 2:21 pm
I saw that in an email and I don’t understand why it hasn’t been more publicized! Hardly anyone knows about it.
Grannymar said,
April 14, 2009 at 6:27 pm
@Nick & @Kenju - It seems to be the best kept secret in New York.
Magpie11 said,
April 14, 2009 at 6:35 pm
It’s beautiful……
A pity that the USA managed(with Britain’s help) to lose so much of the world wide goodwill and sympathy that atrocity engendered.
I have to say that my first reaction was to wish I had a big pin to pop the balloon
Annb said,
April 14, 2009 at 8:08 pm
That is really beautiful - thanks for telling me about such a well kept secret!
Baino said,
April 14, 2009 at 8:59 pm
I’m with Steph I’m afraid, the sentiment is wonderful . . it seems the world likes giving sculpture to the US (Statue of Liberty, Cleopatra’s Needle in DC) but this one . . .just a dangly bit between two broken bits. Art is so subjective isn’t it? Frankly I’d feel a little embarrassed if I had to polish it!
Darlene said,
April 14, 2009 at 9:19 pm
I, too, had never heard of it. Do I smell a conspiracy theory starting? Did our last disaster for a president (aka: language impaired Bush) keep it a secret in case he wanted to invade Russia? NOTE to FBI; Just kidding.
It’s a very beautiful statue and it’s simplicity conveys the message beautifully.
Grannymar said,
April 15, 2009 at 7:45 am
@Magpie - The squandering of that goodwill makes the job of the present leaders in both the US & UK all the more difficult. Now put away that pin!
@Annb - I wonder if it was the best kept secret in the US?
@Darlene - You might not be alone with those thoughts!
Grannymar said,
April 15, 2009 at 10:12 am
Baino, It was the sin bin again for you today! Do you like spam?
I think yourself and Steph were at the same school! I can just see you both sitting in the back row giggling!