See sculpture depicting famous post WWII kiss at McKee Botanical Garden
VERO BEACH— A 25-foot-tall sculpture based on a famous photograph of a kiss in Times Square at the end of World War II will arrive at McKee Botanical Garden in Vero Beach on Dec. 11 as part of a new exhibition.
“Embracing Peace,” by renowned artist Seward Johnson, will arrive on a flatbed semi-trailer and be hoisted by crane into the garden's Royal Palm Grove. Visitors and McKee members will be able to view the sculpture beginning Dec. 12.
“We are so excited about having this iconic sculpture in the garden and hope the community will visit us to admire its incredible stature and detail, which honors the serve and sacrifice of the veterans of World War II,” said McKee executive director Christine Hobart.
The base of the sculpture weighs 15,000 pounds, while the sculpture itself weighs 15,100 pounds. It is 9 feet wide and 11 feet deep, and was built by Johnson in 2005.
It depicts the lip-locked couple from the famous LIFE magazine photograph taken by Alfred Eisenstaedt on Aug. 14, 1945, as news spread through New York City that World War II had ended. The statue appeared in Times Square in 2015 for the 60th anniversary of V-J Day.
“Embracing Peace” is one of 20 bronze sculptures from Johnson’s “Celebrating the Familiar” series. It can be viewed early by the public. The rest of the sculptures in the exhibition can be seen Jan. 5 through April 28.
“Embracing Peace,” the centerpiece of the exhibition, is Johnson’s most renowned sculpture.
The artwork has been featured in various cities across the United States from Florida to California, as well as in Times Square, Rome, Italy and Civitavecchia, Italy. A bronze casting of the sculpture is currently on display at the Bastogne War Museum in Belgium.
Johnson’s sculptures are known for their detail, realism and spontaneous poses. More than 450 of his life-size bronze figures are featured in private collections and museums throughout the world.
This project is sponsored in part by the Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture and the State of Florida. Indian River Shores’ residents David and Barbara McKenna provided funding for the installation of the sculpture. Barbara McKenna is a member of McKee Garden Board of Directors.
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McKee Botanical Garden exhibition
What: Seward Johnson's “Embracing Peace” and “Celebrating the Familiar” series.
Where: 350 U.S. 1 in Vero Beach.
When: "Celebrating the Familiar” series runs Jan. 5 through April 28. “Embracing Peace” can be viewed starting Dec. 12.
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Closed Monday. The last admission ticket is sold at 4 pm.
Admission to the Garden: $12 adults, $11 seniors, and $8 children ages 3-12. McKee members and children under the age of 3 are free.
Information: www.mckeegarden.org.