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Friday, February 4, 2011

The Kiss, an Unconditonal Surrender

ThPicture this, V-J Day celebration in New York City, August 14, 1945, Alfred Eisenstadt takes a photo of an un-identified soldier embraced in a kiss with Edith Shain a nurse.  Life Magazine puts this iconic moment in time on their cover.  Eisenstadt's career will never be the same.  Sure pictures of Adolf Hitler meeting with Mussolini were big, as well as Hemingway, and Sofia Loren, but nothing will ever hold a candle to "The Kiss".


In 2005 Sarasota's Island Park bay front was graced with a 26 foot aluminum sculpture by Seward Johnson called the "Unconditional Surrender".  Controversy plagued the city, when a public art committee declared that the statue was not art, but "ornamental and decorative" which disqualifies it from being in the cities public art collection..  Veterans groups immediately began petitions to save the statue.  A private citizen later donated $500,000 to the city to save what I believe to be a work of art.  New York City, San Diego, and Key West also have featured "The Kiss." 

So why am I telling you all of this?  My 9 year old daughter Molly loves this statue.  We have to ride by it every time we are in Sarasota.  Every Disney princess kisses her prince and this is just a fairy tale reminder to every little girl.

Molly can look at "The Kiss" any time she wants now.  She has 8x10 black & white photo of the statue taken by my step-dad hung in her room.  I also bought her a little image of the real picture last summer while I was in D.C..



Ah, the romance....

12 comments:

Mary said...

Hi Lacy, I featured your tool box in my "Top Ten Fav Picks"!

I love the statue, I don't know how anyone could say that it's not a work of art? Have a great weekend! Mary :O)

Terri said...

That's a sweet post and I love that statue. Did you know that the nurse in the photo recently passed away at a ripe old age? It was a random kiss, the soldier just scooped her up and laid one on her.

Bonnie@Creative Decorating said...

I just have always loved that picture and debated about putting it in my master bedroom. I still may do that. It just marks the overall passion of what that day meant. I am so glad they saved the statue!!

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Hi Lacy, My dad was in the Navy and he was in the square, along with lots of other sailors, the day the famous photo was shot. Their ship had just anchored. He said the girl was a model and they were looking for a sailor for the photograph. They asked him, as well as others, to have their photo taken kissing her. My dad was engaged to my mom so he declined. The sailor in the picture was his shipmate.
xo,
Sherry

Unknown said...

I love that picture too.It just explains the day in a way only pictures can.
Traci

Tammy@Beatrice Banks said...

I've always loved that picture. Your daughter is a true romantic. Wonder where she gets that from?
Have a great day!
Tammy

Unknown said...

Lacy, Ya know that they took it down for awhile and there was SUCH an uproar that so many people wanted it back? It makes me smile everytime I drive by it. I LOVE my hometown. Thank you for featuring our statue, we're kinda proud of it : )

~ Deanna

Sonya@Beyond the Screen Door said...

I have to agree, I think it's a work of art too! The photograph AND the statue both! Such a sweet photo and I LOVE that your daughter is so romantic!

Katherine said...

great post, I love that statue! Hugs

Linda @ Life and Linda said...

Very nice and so romantic. I am glad it's back and it looks stunning.
the photo is wonderful

Everlasting Blooms said...

Ahh the romance...I have always loved that photo too! :)

~ Just found you...I think I'll go poke around a bit. Thanks for sharing!

Carrie @ Dittle Dattle said...

How sweet! I love that your daughter loves the statue too!