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Life Imitates Art

Representing hope and freedom in San Diego, a 25 foot, 6,000 pound statue named, UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER, by world-renowned artist, J. Seward Johnson, is a three-dimensional interpretation of a photo taken by Alfred Eisenstaedt of a Sailor, Carl Muscarello, kissing a nurse, Edith Shain, in Times Square, New York City on Aug. 14, 1945, following the announcement of V-J Day.

 

Edith Shain, the nurse memorialized in Eisenstaedt’s photo, states, "There is so much romance in the statue; it gives such a feeling of hope to all who look at it."

 

“This statue brings back so many memories of peace, love and happiness. During the moment of the kiss I don’t remember much, it happened so fast and it happened at the perfect time. I didn’t even look at the Sailor who was kissing me,” Shain continued. “I closed my eyes and enjoyed the moment like any woman would have done.”

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Uploaded on August 30, 2009
Taken on August 25, 2009