Friday 3 January 2014

Beautiful Tribute To Nelson Mandela

This is not my normal post however I hope you will allow me to share it with you.  I was amazed by the vision and imagination of this artist to create this tribute to Nelson Mandela. I have posted the photos in a sequence finishing with the full impact of the sculpture.
 
 
South African artist Marco Cianfanelli has constructed a monument to recognise the 50 year anniversary of peace activist and politician Nelson Mandela's capture by the apartheid police in 1962. Mandela's profile spans 50 steel columns measuring 21.32 and 29.52 feet (6.5 and 9 meters) high, each anchored to the concrete-covered ground. 
 
The shape and form of the sculpture are representative of the leader's 27 years behind bars for his efforts to bring equal rights and governmental representation to the once racially divided nation.  The statue of the Nobel prize winner has been erected in Howick, a town located 56 miles (90 kilometres) south from the city of Durban in the countryside of the southernmost African country. 
 
 
Left: the raw metal components laid out after cutting, before painting and instalment
right: building of the artwork.
 
 
 
 
A perspective picturing the side of the installation
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Cianfanelli says of his work 'this represents the momentum gained in the struggle through the symbolic of mandela’s capture.  The 50 columns represent the 50 years since his capture, but they also suggest the idea of many making the whole; of solidarity. it points to an irony as the political act of Mandela’s incarceration cemented his status as an icon of struggle, which helped ferment the groundswell of resistance, solidarity and uprising, bringing about political change and democracyeft'.
 

For me, this is a master piece of artistic imagination and talent and a fitting tribute to a great man.
 
I know many may have seen this before, however for those that didn't I hope you experienced the 'WOW. feeling.
 
Thank you for visiting and yes I will be back to my birds tomorrow.

15 comments:

  1. What a lovely monument and tribute!! Have a happy weekend!

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  2. I had seen the final image before Margaret, but not how it all 'comes together' through your other images, and seeing them too is what really makes the artwork impressive I think! You could say that all the great things that Mandela believed in or fought for just needed to be seen from 'the right angle' - the rest of the world was quite slow to get on board with his movement! Thanks so much for sharing :)

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  3. Wow, I never expected the last shot of this. What an amazing and unique tribute this is! also, such a beautiful setting this is in

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  4. Thanks for sharing that. I hadn't seen it before. I didn't notice the profile of Mandela until the last frame then had to go back to see that it was there all along. Spectacular.

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  5. Amazing work of art and wonderful tribute to a great and courageous man.

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  6. A brilliant tribute of Nelson Mandela, thanks Margaret.

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  7. Wow doesn't even come close ... There must be a better word because this is beyond one's imagination. It is hard to conceive of anyone being able to accomplish anything so inticate and yet bold and meaningful. Mandella was a great man and the man who honors him here has greatness in his own right. Thank you Margaret, for sharing this.

    Andrea @ From The Sol

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  8. Really really beautiful! Truly wonderful art!

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  9. Stunning. Thanks so much for sharing it.

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  10. With the first few pictures,I found myself wondering what this was. This is simply amazing creativity.I am stunned at how some people have so much skill.

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  11. The world is diminished with his passing. Gorgeous sculpture. Thank you.

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  12. Margaret this is just wonderful... I knew nothing about this creative tribute to a great man. Thank you for sharing it. And Happy New Year to you.

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  13. This is amazing! What a beautiful work of art! Thank you for sharing this.

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  14. Very nice post! Merveilleuses photos! Great shots!
    Happy New Year too!
    Have a lovely weekend!
    Cath.

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