Sarasota, Florida: Unconditional Surrender

The statue of THE Kiss ["Unconditional Surrender"] is comical and belongs at Disney World, not in a classy arts community like Sarasota. I was horrified when I saw that it had returned to our beautiful city. It has no relevance for the majority of people visiting here. If one would only apply some common sense, you would see that anyone who relates to this statue will be dead in another 10 years. Why mar the skyline and waterfront with this silly piece of so called artwork. Stop living in the past - the City needs to look forward. Besides, people pose in front of it because it is so silly and balloon-like in appearance. I would hardly call this a piece of art! Shame on the commissioners who wasted our money on bringing this eyesore back.

It's finally back! Of all the so called works of art we've had along our bay front, this is the only one us locals ever liked enough, in numbers, to want it to stay.

It was disappointing when the statue left for its trip to San Diego. So when I saw a crane setting it back up, I went home to get my camera. The crane was pulling away when I got back but you can see the snorkel lift that helped.

A big Hooray to the officials who got it back for us!

I suggest you spend a little time in the park watching others look at it. One thing everyone seems to do is look up her skirt! It's a source of amusement to watch people do this. Out of curiosity I did, too (blush), but I'm not going to say what I saw. You'll have to see it for yourself to satisfy your own curiosity.

I think this statue was perfect right where it was at Marina Jack's Bayfront. If it should return to Sarasota, what's wrong with putting it where it stood previously? I'm just sorry I didn't get a photo of it while it was here. Out of all the so called art placed in the Bayfront, "Unconditional Surrender" was by far the best.

This wonderful statue has been dismantled and shipped back to the artist in New Jersey. A permanant replica is slated to return to Sarasota in 2007.

We have an area in Sarasota down at the bayfront where large sculptures are displayed. This one has attracted more attention than any other through the years. It was just installed recently, and crowds have been showing up to get a look. It's a sculpture of the famous photograph of a sailor kissing a nurse on V-J Day in New York City, 1945. The artist is J. Seward Johnson.

This thing is huge! Parents were sitting children on the nurse's feet to take photos.

There's a controversy brewing in Sarasota about this statue which has been picked up by Bay area news. The statue is supposed to be here until May 31, 2006, and when it leaves, some residents want to have a replica made to be installed permanently. The head of the local "Arts" Council has called it "an escapee from the Macy's [Thanksgiving] Day Parade," and is acting all horrified at having it in her city. If art is supposed to make you think and evoke an emotional response, then this is doing its job. Our local veterans are especially moved.