Over the last few years, we've been paying close attention to the status of Christopher Columbus and Columbus Day. Each year, we have noted that he and his image are continually under attack. Therefore, it goes without saying that the new "Discovering Columbus" art exhibit in Manhattan took us by surprise. For the first time in a very long time, Columbus is being "highlighted" not just during the Columbus Day season- but also for Italian heritage month.
The new exhibit is actually a spin on something old- Japanese artist Tatzu Nishi has essentially built a "living room" around the iconic statute of Columbus in Manhattan's Columbus Circle. Visitors to the statute will ascend 70 feet up into Manhattan's sky to sit next to Columbus and have a cup of coffee with him- all the while taking in unobstructed views of Central Park.
The Statue:
Was constructed in
1892 by Italian sculptor Gaetano Russo. It was funded by New York's
(and America's) dominant Italian language newspaper- Il Progresso.
It was crafted in 1892 to celebrate the 400 year anniversary of
Columbus sailing to the Americas.
At
the unveiling ceremony of the statue, Carlo Barsotti, editor Il
Progresso ,
declared that the Columbus Memorial “was
offered by the Italian residents in the United States as a
testimonial of their love for the institutions of this Republic and a
tribute to their great country-man.”
The
Impact:
Many
Italian organizations believe this to be a "slight" against
the Italian community. They believe this for myriad reasons- one
of which is that the statue will not be visible for the city's
Columbus Day parade.
We
do not agree.
The image, history and reputation of Columbus
have been under attack for the last several years. The discussion
that this art exhibit brings is positive and a departure from the
usual "Columbus hating" rhetoric. Just take Mayor
Bloomberg's stance on the project:
"You'll
also get a chance to close-up see a statue that really is an icon in
our city, yet one that none of us alive today have ever seen face to
face — that is until now."
Positive ideas and
intelligent discourse are what Columbus and Columbus Day needed- and
that is exactly what it got. We laud this art project and its
timing.
The only
negative commentary regarding the statue has come from Italian
organizations such
as the Italic Institute and The Italian American One Voice Coalition.
While we are
surprised by the stance of the IAOVC, we expected this from the
Italic Institute of America. This isn't the first time they have used
the media to advance Italians...backwards. Take a look at our last
few run ins with them:
TIPS for going:
Take the train: A, B, C or D to 59th Street/Columbus Circle
Admission is free - but you need to get passes here
The Exhibit will remain open through November 18th
ItalianAware-Home
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