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Is he Columbus or Peter?


Is he Columbus or Peter?
Information sur la photo
Copyright: Daniel Kohanski (Wandering_Dan) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 789 W: 105 N: 903] (3247)
Genre: Lieux
Média: Couleur
Date de prise de vue: 2008-02-04
Catégories: Oeuvres d'art
Appareil photographique: Nikon D-80, Nikkor 18-200mm VR II
Exposition: f/16, 1/125 secondes
More Photo Info: [view]
Versions: version originale, Workshop
Date de soumission: 2008-04-21 9:27
Vue: 783
Points: 14
[Ligne directrice - Note] Note du photographe
This 300-foot (90-meter) statue of Peter the Great towers over the western end of an island in the Moscow River, just across from the Sculpture Park (see the workshop) and the State Tretyakovskaya Gallery. The sixth largest statue in the world according to some lists, it was created by the Georgian sculptor Zurab Tsereteli.

There is a lot of controversy about this statue. According to most sources I've checked, it was either originally intended to be a statue of Columbus for the 500 anniversary of his arrival in the Americas, or else was based on models for that statue. Tseretili had planned to donate this work the United States, but we, for some strange reason, were not interested. Certainly that would explain the set of ships that Peter is standing on - they represent the Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria. it doesn't explain why Peter - or Columbus, or whoever - is dressed in a Roman toga, though. My guide told me she had recently watched a Discovery channel (or the Russian equivalent) program showing how the statue's head had been morphed from Columbus to Peter, so that the sculptor could make it acceptable to the Russians.

Except that it is not acceptable to Muscovites. The mayor of Moscow was a good friend of the artist's and wanted the statue, but a lot of other people had different ideas (see this article for example). Peter the Great is, after all, the tsar who moved the capital of Russia from Moscow to his new city of St. Petersburg, and Moscow has never forgotten it.

Anyway, the statue is up, and it would cost too much to take it down, so there it stands. It is so out of place, though, that when I first saw it, I couldn't help bursting out in laughter.
smartcat, markogts, dlevy23, avene, feather, zmey trouve(nt) cette note utile
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Discussions
Enchaînement de réflexionsInitiateur de la discussion Messages Modifié
A feather: Close as I could comeWandering_Dan 1 04-24 08:52
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Dan!

You're right about Colombus. Indeed, that "great artist" began this sculpture as monument for him. But Americans refused such a gift, but Moscow authorities stood it at well-seen place, not far from the Kremlin. I think, it's a shame! :(

The monument is really ugly, but the photo is well-done, TFS.

Good work under not ideal lighting conditions. I like how the overall view of the picture leave a feeling of sadness, exactly as the note explains. That means the picture "works" properly.

Hi Daniel, very interesting Statue and you captured it very well. Also very nice note.
Good job.

Daniel

  • Great 
  • avene Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1323 W: 75 N: 1675] (6230)
  • [2008-04-21 14:17]

hi Dan,
really bizarre artwork... the way all the elements seem just piled one on top another makes me think that the artist was in a hurry and not too worried whether the result would be aesthetically pleasing. for me, this high and narrow composition feels awkward and ready to collapse.
excellent work in capturing all than in photo, and from what I see the light must've been pretty difficult. very interesting work.

with best regards,
Kristine

hi Daniel

Such an interesting art piece and stacked vertically upward, I wonder if the water level will ever reach that high up to keep the boat afloat!

Nice capture.

tfs, bill
later

It does indeed seem very incongruous. It is a very complicated piece of art and you have captured the detail well in drab light. It would have been nice to see a closer view from the POV you have in the WS, but I'm guessing that was not possible. Very interesting post.
Kath

  • Great 
  • zmey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1320 W: 102 N: 1362] (5290)
  • [2008-04-25 3:43]

hello daniel

lol, your casual approach to this monstrosity accentuates well it's 'out of placeness' :)) i had no idea they had erected such a think in moscow until i saw this photo. a grandiouse (in scale) monument to the russian navy crammed in the midde of moscow river?? lol... quite symbolic, ain't it (speaking of the historical need of the russian nation for a sea 'window to the west'). anyway... i am wondering what the original plan of the esteemed sculptor was. i mean, who wanted to buy his 500-th anniversary columbus (roman legionaire attire would kind of make sense in that case) colosus?? i don't think, muscovites would have any reason to want that...

thanks for sharing, friend
regards,
kristaps


ps. actually, thinking more on it, roman legionaire attire fits peter too... supposedly, he believed Russia had a historical mission as a direct heir of Rome. His imaginary line was Rome->Byzantine Rome->Russia as the ultimate protector of Christendom. well, but then again, who did not think of themselves as direct heirs of Rome at the time? ;) i know, even Ottomans did.

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