It was nice to finally get out and enjoy the sun and bike along Manhattan’s Waterfront Greenway. Approaching Battery Park a number of city workers were overseeing a large operation furiously pumping water from the underground subways back into the Hudson River where it belonged. It was a captivating operation and one that required a closer inspection. Amazing, for whatever reason the American Merchant Mariners’ Memorial had never caught my attention before. Perhaps it was the water gushing out and a small group of people that had gathered that encouraged a closer look.
american merchant mariners' memorial
Here, sculptor Marisol Escobar, one of the most significant artists of the Pop era and a long-time resident of Greenwich Village, depicts merchant marines on a sinking lifeboat. The scene stopped me dead in my tracks. Not only did the position of the mariner in the water provide emotion to the scene, but the rushing water from the subway system heightened the drama…all a representation of potential rescue or possible loss of lives. The synchronicity of it all took my breath away…
This picture says it all. This was for a reason that you spotted this memorial.
We think of you all and pray for the best. We hear that cold nasty weather and another storm is entering your area again. I just hope for one time the computer predictions are wrong!!!!
Thank you Astrid for all of your thoughts and concerns. So many people can use it here! Yes, let’s so hope the predictions are wrong. People can’t take more!!
You will never see it with the same eyes again, Robin, and neither will I. WOW!
So true Ginnie!
What a wonderful capture and it is such an interesting memorial.
Oh, wow, yes! It will never be more appropriate at that spot than it was when you photographed it. Realistic.
Very powerful picture! I hope the storms skip you. Love you!
This is an amazing image! I have never seen this piece before. It’s quite spectacular, especially under the circumstances!
The sculptor Marisol offers very different styles of work – both in wood and metal. This is such a dramatic presentation, observers are transfixed by it.
The actual sculpture was inspired by a German photo of American WWII sailors trying to save themselves as their destroyed ship was sinking beneath them. The enemy provided no assistace in rescuing the men. All were lapped away into the ocean’s watery grave.
This haunting sculpture has never gotten the attention it deserves. As art – it is outstanding. As history – it is unforgettible. As an example of man’s inhumanity to man – it is now left to GOD as the final judge.
THANKS FOR THE EXCELLENT PHOTO.