This is a 2006 sculpture by Preston Jackson, located on the Founders Bridge across the Connecticut River. Jackson is a professor of sculpture at the Art Institute of Chicago. A press release when the sculpture was dedicated says it "illustrates the tragedy of enslavement as well as the joy and exhilaration of knowing that freedom has at last become a reality."The sculpture is one of fifteen honoring Abraham Lincoln's life and accomplishments. It is on the Lincoln Sculpture Walk, funded by Lincoln Financial and organized by Riverfront Recapture and the Greater Hartford Arts Council.
I had a critical comment two days ago about not showing the difficulty that Hartford is facing in recovering from the "October Surprise" snow storm. There are three responses. First, this is a photo blog, not a news blog, and I like to show photos that interest me. Second, after showing the broken trees and downed wires two days ago, you get the idea. More of the same isn't of much value. And, third, I am sitting in a Starbucks in Florida. No sense freezing in a dark and unheated Connecticut house. Needless to say, these are pre-storm photos.
32 comments:
It's a very powerful statue, definitely getting the point across.
you have no need to defend your blog. it's wonderful. love these night shots...so dramatic. how wise to vacate the state until you can return to a powered-up house. enjoy florida.
I'd like to be with you in a starbuck in Florida! :o)"Emancipation" could also be a statue dedicated to the freedom on blogs, where we do what we want, when we want, the way we want!That's why we like it!
Enjoy your time in Florida!
Enjoy the Florida sun. I like your comment, you are absolutely right about posting what you like.
I love the new look of the blog!
I thought of you and the blog last night while watching a public TV program on Bushenell Auditorium.
Are you back from your European trip?
Regards,
Gina
Ya, and they'll probably want you to take 5,000 more shots of "Occupy Hartford" too. Sheeeesh!
Everybody wants to run your blog. I had a reader email me that she thought the music on my Paris blog was goofing up her computer. I took it off. I put it back on a few weeks ago. I'm such a rebel!
Last April someone asked on FB if I was going to show the devastation of the tornado. There were news agencies from around the world photographing it. The last thing those poor victims needed was a duffer like me getting in the way of the rescue crews etc.
Now, about your photos. Beautiful sculpture, love the textures and the golden light Jack.
V
Preston Jackson captures the exuberance of the moment quite well in this sculpture.
I am glad you followed your blog standards, you have displayed some unique photos this week on your blog. An article on the anger associated with the Hartford Blackout made it to the KC paper today.
Wonderful post Jack. I am so with you. Enjoy the Florida weather.
I agree with your freedom to post, and your freedom to load your posts in advance and enjoy your location where ever you are, which is certainly what Julie and I do.
I showed your snow photos the other day to Julie's 90+ year old grandmother when I visited her in the care home where she stays. It caused her to reminisce about the days when her father used a horse-drawn snow plow during her childhood in rural Utah.
I agree with Ciel, this sculpture is powerful and impressive. Your pictures are wonderful , thanks for the different angles!
hugs and a nice Sunday,
Léia
You have no need whatever to defend your blog and I do agree with you completely! I try to focus on the beauty and the humor in the world -- the TV takes care of the crap all too well! Glad you're enjoying the warmth of Florida! Your photos for the day are superb as always! I love the feeling of celebration in the sculpture! Enjoy your weekend, Jack!
And thanks for sharing the beauty of you state!
Sylvia
Great statue honoring an important part of our culture.
I'm amazed at how many sculpture you find in and around Hartford.
Good for you Jack. I was hoping when you said "you left" that you had headed to a warmer climate. This is a very nice sculpture. A sculpture walk dedicated to Lincoln should be interesting.
One day of "disaster" shots was plenty for me. I certainly don't blame you for choosing the pictures you think showcase your city the best. :)
PS: I really like this night shot. Glad to see you're getting the hang of it. I love night shots! Maybe you can find some columns or arches to shoot at night? That would double the love.
Nice sculpture! And glad to hear that you made it safely to Florida.
Great night shots, Jack!
Great sculpture and shots of it Jack!
Who needs to dwell on misfortune? You showed us the scene and then went on with things more pleasant. Glad you had a really warm place to go - we had power out for 2 1/2 days one winter and it was no fun hanging around in the cold!
Powerfull shots, I say!!!
Congrats!
Nice sculpture, beautiful light and color. And fie on anyone in the peanut gallery who takes negative shots. My curiosity was satisfied with your two shots; if I want "coverage" there are plenty of news sources on the Internet. Google can help find them if one lacks imagination.
An awesome nighttime photo of that cool sculpture!
My next door neighbor's sister still doesn't have power in her part of CT - hope things are going better for you and yours!
Beautiful sculpture, full of life - the night-time shot makes it even more evocative. And I agree with those who say you have a perfect right to show whatever you want on your blog. We see the TV so we're not ignorant about the storm but I'm glad you're safe and sensibly decamped somewhere more pleasant, until things get back to normal.. I'm sure we'll all see enough snow pictures again this winter to get to hate the stuff!
That is a vibrantly joyous sculpture! No worries about critical comments... love your blog!
Nice work. The sodium vapor lights make a wonderful, warm tone. The statue is exultant.
Double Jealous- Firstly, you can do night photography so well, and secondly, you are sitting in a Starbucks in Florida!
Damm the critics, smile!
Superb photos, Jack. Your selection of things/places/events/people who intrigue you is spot on. I for one am glad that you photograph as you see fit and then take the time to share them with us. Carry on, good man!
I agree with you Jack. I post what I like and if people don't want to visit so be it. I prefer to think of you in Starbucks enjoying yourself and not freezing in the bitter cold. Nice shot!
The statue is very strong and powerful, thanks for sharing it!
Thanks, Jack, for your comment. I wanted to show how busy the downtown streets are during rush hour. It took several tries before the man and the dachshund showed up to provide the best foreground interest possible.
Glad you were able to find somewhere warm to go--I forgot to say that earlier.
The sculptures are very beautiful Jack - don't let the negative comment distract you from what you do best and that is take great photos and share them with us.
Thank you for showing Mr. Preston's work and his web site. His sculptures are extraordinary, ESP the facial expressions. I've been reading Shanghai Girls by Lisa See (really well written) and that along with then with your post is always a good reminder to be watchful of discrimination.
PS - hear, hear for blogger's rights - we say what, we say when, and we say who.
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