The VJ Kiss - a photo on Flickriver

The VJ Kiss

            The 7 metre tall sculpture on the dockside at Portsmouth was there as part of the D-Day celebrations in 2019 (65th anniversary). When photographed on 3rd December 2019 it was cordonned off and looked as though it was about to be moved.  Unfortunately this rather my limited my options for a good angle.

The sculpture is based on the iconic photograph taken in Times Square, New York, just after the announcement of the end of the war (VJ Day). There were euphoric celebrations and the sailor George Mendonsa spontaneously kissed nurse Greta Friedman. The story behind this photograph (taken by Alfred Eisenstaedt and later published in Life magazine) is widely available on the web.

It is true that this was a "non-consensual" act but both later said that it was a moment of jubilation and there was no offence taken. George had, by his own admission consumed "a few" drinks! It is a pity perhaps that this globally recognised moment of joy has recently been hijacked by the me-too brigade with the sculpture being defaced with a painted slogan on Greta's leg. The damage, in February 2019,  has since been repaired. 

George Mendonsa died a day before the defacing aged 95 and Greta died in 2016 aged 92.

Taken in: UK / England / Southsea / Portsea (show map)

Taken on: December 3, 2019

Tags:

Peace

Kiss

Portsmouth

Royal

Navy

Dockyard

George

Mendonsa

Greta

Friedman

Alfred

Eisenstaedt

Waorl

War

day

Nikon

D5100

2019

03/12/2019 « less

Sets appears in: • Buildings Architecture Monuments

Groups appears in: • Nikon Digital • Statues and Sculptures. more » • Nikon DSLR Users • The Flikr Group • Nikon D3100,D3200, D3300,D5100,D5200,D5300,D7000,D7100 group • Nikon DSLR Photographers • PBWA - Photography By Wandering About • This is Why I Bought A Camera • This is Hampshire (including the Isle of Wight), photos and vide « less

Camera: Nikon D5100, f/9.0, 1/320 sec, 25mm (=37mm), ISO 100 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Nikon D5100
Aperture:	f/9.0
Exposure Time:	0.003 sec (1/320)
Focal Length:	25mm (35mm equivalent: 37mm)
ISO:	100
Exposure Bias:	+1 EV
Flash:	No Flash
Exposure Program:	Program AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Sharpness:	Hard
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	PaintShop Pro 18.00
Show full info

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