The American Pieta a Monumental Bronze Sculpture Allegory

[+ Avalon]

http://www.jamesmuir.com/american-pieta-monumental-bronze-sculpture.htm

 

I had not seen this before but I like it!

[+ g56whiz]

Pure American kitsch.

[+ Avalon]

Pure American kitsch.

 

But isn't it grand!

 

I wish we had more patriotic monuments throughout the nation.

[+ Travis69]

But isn't it grand!

 

I wish we had more patriotic monuments throughout the nation.

So do the pigeons!!!:rolleyes: Sorry, bad humor.

[+ g56whiz]

But isn't it grand!

 

I wish we had more patriotic monuments throughout the nation.

Sorry @Avalon. There is nothing ever great about kitsch. True patriotic monuments are inspired by events that move a nation united. I suspect it will be a long time before that occurs here again - if ever.

[Kenny]

What a pile of shit.

[MikeBiDude]

OMG that’s hideous!

 

I saw the REAL Pieta at the NY World Fair (1963ish?) and again in Rome in 1974.

[+ WilliamM]

The real pieta was displayed at the 1964-1965 New York World Fair. I did not see it again in Rome.

 

Due respect, Avalon, the actual pieta is stunning, the fake is not

[Kenny]

The real pieta was displayed at the 1964-1965 New York World Fair. I did not see it again in Rome.

 

Due respect, Avalon, the actual pieta is stunning, the fake is not

The Pieta was hilarious at the World's Fair. Surrounded by draperies of cobalt blue chiffon and celestial twinkle lights while viewers passed by on a moving sidewalk -- doesn't get more camp than that.

[JayCeeKy]

If, for some strange reason, we feel a need to glorify war (and most of our great generals, like Grant and Eisenhower, hated war) I would prefer pondering a monument that depicts teamwork and victory rather than one depicting the Statue of Liberty holding a dead Greek warrior:

 

http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/US/07/29/iwo.jima.citizenship/art.iwo.jima.afp.gi.jpg

[+ Avalon]

I thought that some might like it because in that link the top picture shows the Confederate flag on the ground.

[+ nycman]

The real pieta was displayed at the 1964-1965 New York World Fair.

I never knew this.

 

You learn something new every day!

[mike carey]

...rather than one depicting the Statue of Liberty holding a dead Greek warrior:

That would be kitsch of the first order. I'm sure 45 would love it, especially if it were gold plated.

[Rudynate]

I never knew this.

 

You learn something new every day!

 

 

 

What!! It was a huge deal at the time, that the Pope had authorized exhibiting the work in the Vatican Pavillion at the world's fair. You must not have watched much TV.

[Rudynate]

The Pieta was hilarious at the World's Fair. Surrounded by draperies of cobalt blue chiffon and celestial twinkle lights while viewers passed by on a moving sidewalk -- doesn't get more camp than that.

 

 

There generally is a kitschiness to the Roman Catholic aesthetic. I grew up in the Anglican tradition, which has a more stately restrained aesthetic.

[MikeBiDude]

What!! It was a huge deal at the time, that the Pope had authorized exhibiting the work in the Vatican Pavillion at the world's fair. You must not have watched much TV.

There was even a TV special (Disney?) that I vividly remember showing how it was being packed in Rome for travel to New York, they used fine sand to fill/pack all the minisicule “folds” of the sculpture.

 

I had an “Auntie Mame” type that was taking me to the Worlds Fair and to visit family, so any TV, reading, research about the Fair pre-trip heightened my anticipation.

[marylander1940]

http://www.jamesmuir.com/american-pieta-monumental-bronze-sculpture.htm

 

I had not seen this before but I like it!

 

The altar of freedom (during the civil war), the altar of the empire on most of other wars.

[marylander1940]

OMG that’s hideous!

 

I saw the REAL Pieta at the NY World Fair (1963ish?) and again in Rome in 1974.

 

Do you realize we're calculating your age now...

[+ WilliamM]

I never knew this.

 

You learn something new every day!

 

I was in college during the Fair. The site is where the U. S. Open Tennis Tournament is now placed, To be honest, I saw much more of actress Julie Newmar, who was also in line, than the few seconds with the Pieta.

[Rudynate]

There was even a TV special (Disney?) that I vividly remember showing how it was being packed in Rome for travel to New York, they used fine sand to fill/pack all the minisicule “folds” of the sculpture.

 

I had an “Auntie Mame” type that was taking me to the Worlds Fair and to visit family, so any TV, reading, research about the Fair pre-trip heightened my anticipation.

 

I was thinking of just that show when I made that post. They showed the container with the shipping label on it. It said from: His Holiness Paul VI.

[TruthBTold]

I remember seeing this photo for the first time about Kent State shootings and although it conveys a very different feeling for Mary it just reminded me of the Pieta. One of the great photos of all time (in my estimation).

 

[+ Avalon]

The altar of freedom (during the civil war), the altar of the empire on most of other wars.

 

Reminds me of Patrick Buchanan's book

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Republic,_Not_an_Empire