Friday, July 19, 2013

St. George and the Dragon at the United Nations (from a year ago, but still relevant)

 

St. George and the Dragon

I am not sure why this statue is up at the United Nations...

Let me see if I can google anything--oh, here it is, "Good Defeats Evil"...

NYC - United Nations: "Good Defeats Evil", a statue of St. George fighting the dragon of Nuclear War

"Good Defeats Evil", a statue of St. George fighting the dragon of Nuclear War. It was sculpted using sections of decommissioned Soviet SS-20 and US Pershing II missiles. It was a gift of the Soviet Union to the United Nations in 1990.
Good Defeats Evil, 1990
Artist
Zurab Tsereteli
Location
Grounds of the United Nations. The visitors entrance to the UN is on the east side of First Ave., between 45th and 46th streets. Immediately upon entering the UN, turn left and walk down the path that is parallel to First Ave. The sculpture will be on your right.

Description 

The grounds of the United Nations are decorated with numerous sculptures that have been given to the organization by the governments of member countries as well as by individuals and other organizations [1].
Good Defeats Evil is a sculpture that combines traditional-style bronze work with a more contemporary material--American and Soviet missals. "Good" is represented by a depiction of St. George, who is astride a rearing horse. In his right hand he holds an enormous spear, with which he is slaying a writhing dragon, representing "Evil." The dragon lifts his head with one last attempt at resurgence, but it is clear that this is the dragon's last breath: the dragon's body, which is made of an American Pershing II missile and a Soviet SS20 missile, has been torn apart by St. George's spear.
www.blueofthesky.com/publicart/works/goodandevil.htm

I believe St. George is also the patron saint of England and maybe some other places.

Also find it ironic that the official color of England is actually green ( the same as Ireland--no, wait a second, the Irish flag is orange, white and green)-- ( English soccer fans use red and white though, referring I think to St. George).

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