The "
Giant
Hands Around The World" Collection was last updated on Dec. 8, 2018 and many
more hands have been found since the last update. These newly found hands are
listed below;
- Golden Fist Crushing A US Fighter Plane, Misurata, Libya
- Victory Sign, Almquaobh Misurata, Libya
- Red Hand in Desert Tifariti, Western Sahara, Morocco**
- Hand Memorial To Loskop Dam Builders Groblersdal, Mpumalanga, South
Africa
- Right Hand of Saint Gregory the Illuminator, Vagharshapat, Armenia
- Big Red Hands, Shilipu, Chaoyang, Beijing, China
- Giant Hand at Nanshan Temple, Sanya, Hainan, China
- Hand Holding Picture Frame, Weihai Park, Weihai, Shandong, China
- Giant Hands, Tsereteli Modern Art Gallery Tbilisi, Georgia
- Butterflies on A Giant Hand, Arogya Van, Kevadia, Gujarat, India
- Unity With Nature, Arogya Van, Kevadia, Gujarat, India
- Protective Hands, LIC Building Lucknow, India
- Lorenzo Quinn Sculptures at One Indiabulls Centre, Mumbai, India
- Hand With Raised Forefinger, Jagannath Temple, Koraput, Odisha, India
- Two Giant Hands, Caldera Hotel & Restaurant, Kintamani, Bali, Indonesia
- Giant Hands of Wisnu, Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park (GWK), Ungasan,
Badung, Bali, Indonesia
- Hand Shake, Kiara Artha Park Bandung, Indonesia
- Hand With V-Sign, Road from Ende to Bajawa Flores, Indonesia
- Red hands Valentine, Park Peyvand Tabrez, Iran
- Crossed Swords, Crossed Swords, Grand Festivities Square and Parade
Ground, Baghdad, Iraq
- Hand Holding Ball Chiyoda City, Tokyo, Japan
- Viewing Platform, Sirao Pictorial Garden & Camping Site, Cebu,
Philippines
- Finger Pointing Upwards Changi Coastal End Singapore
- Giant Hand Holding Exercise Bars Holland Village Singapore
- Reader Monument Holland Village Singapore
- Green Hand, Love Land, Jeju Island, South Korea
- Large Hands at Magic Stone Fruits Na Mueang, Ko Samui Island, Thailand
- White Folded Hands, Loei, Thailand
- Hands at The Martyr's Memorial Hall, Mae Salong (Now Santikhiri) Mae Fa
Luang, Thailand
- Beautiful Carved Buddha's Hand Mueang Kao, Sukhothai, Thailand
- Hand Holding Apple, Amasya, Turkey
- Hand Holding A Plane, Air Force Museum Ankara, Turkey
- Monument to the Friendship of Nations, Antakya, Turkey
- Haşim's Hand, Karaalioğlu Park Antalya, Turkey
- Hand Holding Wheat Stalk, Aslanapa, Turkey
- Giant Hand Holding Hazelnut, Giresun, Turkey
- Giant Hand Holding Meatball on Fork, İnegöl, Turkey
- Hand With Rosary, Oltu, Turkey
- Monument to Roasted Chickpeas, Tavşanlı, Anatolia, Turkey
- Hand with Rings Jewellery Market, Yakutiye, Turkey
- Lovers' Hands, Valley Of Love Da Lat, Vietnam
- Tall Hand, Dandabah camping area, Bunya Mountains National Park, QLD,
Australia
- Quasi Hand, Wellington, New Zealand
- Gnarled Hands at Kristek House, Brno, Czech Republic*
- Music Conductor's Hand Holding Baton, Estonian National Opera Tallinn,
Estonia
- Bouquet of Tulips by Jeff Koons, Paris, France
- The Thinking Hand, Frankfurt, Germany
- Adam's Hand Rauschberg, Upper Bavaria, Germany
- Hand and Leg (Just Married), Helmond, Holland
- Hand and Foot in Embrace, Singer Museum Laren, Holland
- Three Hands, Margraten, Holland
- Hands at Birreria La Quadra - Pizzeria Al Faro,, Via Lido Po Guastalla,
Italy
- White Hand, Porto Cervo, Sardinia, Italy
- Stop Playing by Lorenzo Quinn Forte Marghera, Venice, Italy
- Building Bridges by Lorenzo Quinn, Venice, Italy
- This is not a game by Lorenzo Quinn, Venice, Italy
- The Awakening, Viterbo, Italy
- Shackled Hands With Victory Sign, Belmontas Park Vilnius, Lithuania
- Memorial to the Fallen Soldiers of Lješanska Nahija Region, Podgorica,
Montenegro
- The "Middle Way" (2017), Cascais, Portugal
- The "Middle Way" (2018), Porto, Portugal
- Friendship Monument Birobidzhan, Jewish Autonomous Oblast, Russia
- White Hand Made of Wire, Kazan, Russia
- Golden Hand Holding Coal, Kemerovo, Russia
- Hand Holding Globe, Khabarovsk, Russia
- Hand Holding Tomato, Minusinsk, Russia
- Three Red Hands, LOFTEC Apartments, Basmanny District, Moscow, Russia
- Monument to Family, Love and Loyalty Mytishchi, Moscow, Russia
- Hands at Burganov's House Museum, Moscow, Russia
- Green Hands Valentine, Cape Love, Novorossiysk, Russia
- Breakthrough Memorial Tatsinskaya, Rostov, Russia
- Monument to Music Conductor, Finestrat, Spain
- Hands at Quinn Creations, Gavà, Spain
- Giant Hands at Peru-Harri Stone Park-Museum, Leitza, Spain
- Hand Shaped Way Marker to Peru-Harri, Stone Park-Museum, Leitza, Spain
- Memorial to Comuneros de Castilla, Palencia, Spain
- Hands Supporting Globe, Ariana Park, Palais des Nations Geneva,
Switzerland
- Hand of a River God, Bristol Marina Bristol, UK
- The "Middle Way" (2014), Liverpool, UK
- Helping Hands, Three Mills Green London, UK
- The Blue "Middle Way" (2018), Kiev, Ukraine
- Hand Holding A Leaf, Belize City, Belize
- Hand Pointing a Gun to Raised Hands, Merliot, El Salvador
- Rise Up, National Memorial for Peace and Justice, Montgomery, AL, USA
- Michelangelo's "Arm of God" Sundial Felicity, CA, USA
- Hand Shaped Bike Stand Loveland, CO, USA
- Victory and Peace Sign Alexis, IL, USA
- Helping Hands, Chicago Women's Park and Gardens, Chicago, IL, USA
- Giant Hand with Painted Nails Pana, IL, USA
- Star Trek Vulcan Greeting Peru, IL, USA
- Smoking Hand Letterbox Holland, MI, USA
- Giant Hands at Fox Cave, Ruidoso Downs, Glencoe, NM, USA
- Giant Hand of "Unity" Brooklyn, NY, USA
- Serve and Protect Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Giant Nailed Hand of Christ, Logan, Spokane, WA, USA
- Monument to Charango, Aiquile, Bolivia
- Monument to Nossa Senhora Aparecida, Cascavel Cathedral Cascavel, Brazil
- Big Hand, Chile Chico, Chile
- Yellow Hand, Villavicencio, Colombia*
- Monument to Hospitality, Guayaquileña, Equador
Till date (July 31, 2020) hands at more than 340 locations around the world have
been found and these will be ultimately merged in the original collection to
make one Giant List of Giant Hands Around the World.
Social media specially Pinterest is full of pictures of Giant Hands but
unfortunately most of these posts are just copy-paste work without any
information about the location of the hands. I
along with some of my friends in Google Earth Community Forums (See credits at the end) have endeavoured to find
location of each of the hand included here and wherever possible I have also given
some information about the hands.
Hands whose locations couldn't be ascertained have not been included in this
collection. The collection will be expanded as and when I find more such
hands. My readers can also help me in finding new ones.
Given below are brief details of newly added hands along with images and
location;
Golden Fist Crushing A US Fighter Plane, Misurata, Libya
This golden fist was originally installed at the Bab al-Azizia,
the main base for the Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. Commissioned on the orders
of Gaddafi, it was designed to symbolize the downing of an F-111 by Libyan
anti-air units in the 1986 bombing. After fall of Tripoli during the Libyan
Civil War, it was moved to Misurata, which was heavily damaged during Libyan
Civil War of 2011. It is now located at the War Museum on the Tripoli Street,
where the most intense fighting between the Gaddafi loyalist forces and the
rebels was recorded and now serves a symbol of the city’s central role in the
Civil War.
Google Maps
(Location based on the photo found in the Google Earth at coordinates 32.366661,
15.080418)
Victory Sign, Almquaobh, Misurata, Libya
Likely
Google
Maps location based on above Flickr image
Red Hand in Desert, Tifariti, Western Sahara, Morocco
An artwork by Spanish artist,Guillermo Roiz, it is titled
"Shadow of the Gnomón" (Gnomón is the part of a sundial that casts a
shadow).
Created in December 2008, artwork consists of 2.2 metres high
hand and two, 8 Metres diameter circles. The hand is placed in such a way that
its shadow moves from one circle to another from dawn to sunset.
Permission to use image awaited.
Image source: Google Earth
Hand Memorial To Loskop Dam Builders, South Africa
A hand shaped monument to the workers who worked on the
construction of the Loskop Dam, near Groblersdal, Mpumalanga, South Africa. The
plaque on the stone base of the hand, translated in English reads; "
A
nation's will and work shall see the fruit in their offspring. Tribute to all
the Afrikaners whose sweat fell here." (Source:
kangaboer.blogspot.com)
Right Hand of Saint Gregory the Illuminator, Vagharshapat,
Armenia
This tall hand installed at the entrance to the city is a
monument to the Right Hand of Saint Gregory the Illuminator; one of the most
revered relic of the St. Gregory.
Big Red Hands, Shilipu, Chaoyang, Beijing, China
Titled Cinnabar Palms, these two big red hands, located on
each side of the road, are made of Stainless Steel and measure 8×4.5×1.6m.
Permission to use image awaited.
Giant Hand at Nanshan Temple, Sanya, Hainan, China
This is second giant hand at Nanshan Temple, Sanya, Hainan,
China. This one located on the left side of the approach to the tall Buddha
state and shows an upright palm with wheel. The other hand is on the right side
of the approach and is placed on the ground with palm facing upwards.
The thumb touching the index finger signifies the discussion
and transmission of the teachings of the Buddha.
Hand Holding Picture Frame, Weihai Park, Weihai, Shandong,
China
Situated on Yangjia Bay, Weihai park has several sculptures,
including this popular picture frame held by two giant hands.
Giant Hands, Tsereteli Modern Art Gallery, Museum of
Modern Art, Tbilisi, Georgia
Butterflies on A Giant Hand,
Located in a garden which was specifically created by
planting many varieties of traditional Indian medicinal plants. The park is
aptly named "Arogya Van" (English: Healthy or disease free
forest/garden). This artwork is titled "Seize the Moment" and the text on the
nearby board reads "Butterflies trying to find the connection between wild
nature and human soul."
"Unity With Nature",
Another hand sculpture in "Arogya Van" titled "Unity
With Nature". The text on the nearby board reads "Enlarged hands about to
unite illustrating human unity in a frame depicting nature."
Image from
Google Maps Photo
is by
Aalok
Karnik
Protective Hands, LIC Building, Lucknow, India
A pair of hands in front of divisional office of Life
Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), country's largest insurance company. The
hands represents its logo which shows a pair of hands, protecting the flame of
an oil lamp.
Lorenzo Quinn Sculptures at One Indiabulls Centre, Mumbai,
India
One Indiabulls Centre has several hand sculptures of master
sculptor Lorenzo Quinn. Few of them inside the premises and few outside. These
are replicas of similar sculptures installed at several locations around the
World.
Give and Take
Hand of God
La Dolce Vita
Finding Love
Rise Through Education
Permission to use image awaited.
Hand With Raised Forefinger, Jagannath Temple, Koraput,
Odisha, India
Not to be confused with the famous Jagannath temple in Puri,
India, this temple in Koraput is popularly known as Shabara Shrikshetra. A giant
white hand, with forefinger pointing up towards the sky, is located by the side
of long stairway leading to the entrance to the temple. The raised finger means
"
...... that for all people there is only one god, this god is one for all,
for representatives of all castes and peoples, all religions and denominations -
one cast, one religion, one god for men." (Source:
inditrip.net/orissa/koraput)
Two Giant Hands, Caldera Hotel & Restaurant, Kintamani,
Bali, Indonesia
A very popular photo shoot spot overlooking the famous Mt.
Batur Caldera and Batur Lake.
Giant Hands of Wisnu, Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park (GWK),
Bali, Indonesia
Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park or GWK, is a Hindu god
Vishnu themed park created as a tourist attraction in Ungasan, Badung, Bali. It
boasts of gigantic 122 metre tall and 64 metre wide statue of Vishnu (Indonesian
Wisnu). The work on this huge statue started in 1997 then then was stopped due
to financial constraints. Work was restarted in 2013 and finally completed in
2018. The body parts (Hands, Torso, head and Garuda (his bird-like vehicle
mount) were constructed in stages and initially located in different parts of
the park.
Above image appears to be digitally modified as the hand
supports (3 per hands), are missing and hands appears to be floating in air. The
supports can be seen in
this picture, which due to copyright reasons cannot be shown here.
Google Maps
(Not visible in Google Maps imagery, location based on image seen at coordinates
-8.810097, 115.165272 in Google Earth)
Hand Shake, Kiara Artha Park, Bandung, Indonesia
Also known Asian-African Park, it was opened to public in
2019 to commemorate the Asian-African Conference (KAA) which was held in Bandung
in 1955.
Hand With V-Sign, Road from Ende to Bajawa, Flores,
Indonesia
A giant (apparently feminine) hand with V-sign on the road
side. The text on the base of the hand reads Keluarga Berencana (Family
Planning) and also depicts a small family of of 4.
Red hands Valentine, Park Peyvand, Tabrez, Iran
A love themed park established to encourage newly weds to
visit it and plant a tree as the symbol of their marriage, thereby starting
their new lives in harmony with the nature.
Crossed Swords, Grand Festivities Square and Parade
Ground, Baghdad, Iraq
The Victory Arch (officially Swords of Qādisīyah) and
popularly called the the Crossed Swords, are two sets of triumphal arches on the
road in front of the Grand Festivities Square and the parade ground in Baghdad.
It was constructed to commemorate the Iran–Iraq War. These arches consists of a
pair of massive outstretched hands, each holding a 43-metre-long (141 ft) sword.
Reportedly Saddam's forearm was used as the model of the hands.
Hand Holding Ball, Chiyoda City, Tokyo, Japan
The Monument to the Birthplace of Japanese Baseball,
installed in 2003, shows a hand holding the ball. It is made of bronze and is
237 cm in height.
Viewing Platforms, Sirao Pictorial Garden & Camping Site (PGCS),
Cebu, Philippines
A viewing platform in the shape of a giant hand at PGCS
adjacent to the Sirao Flower Garden.
It seems there are two/three such platforms or may be the
platform keeps changing shape/location.
Finger Pointing Upwards, Changi Coastal End, Singapore
This sculpture titled "Inscription of the Island" by local
artist Lim Soo Ngee, was initially installed in front of Singapore Art Museum
for Singapore Biennale 2016. Subsequently it was installed at Changi Beach park.
Made of Copper alloys with patina treatment, it measures 2.5 m × 0.5 m × 0.3 m.
Giant Hand Holding Exercise Bars, Holland Village, Singapore
Located in a playground near Block 4 HDB, Holland Close,
Holland Village.
The Reader Monument, Holland Village, Singapore
This interesting sculpture located on Holland Ave., could be
seen in Google Street View till April 2015. It has probably been removed or
relocated elsewhere. Current status not known.
Permission to use image awaited.
Google Street
View (April 2015)
Green Hand, Love Land, Jeju
Island, South Korea
Large Hands at Magic Stone Fruits, Na Mueang, Ko Samui
Island, Thailand
As per reviews in Google Maps, Magic Stone Fruits is fruit
themed park under construction. Two large hands made of concrete can be seen at
its boundary wall.
White Folded Hands, Loei, Thailand
Located in the public garden established to honour Queen
Sirikit's 60th birthday.
Hands at The Martyr's Memorial Hall, Mae Salong (Now
Santikhiri), Mae Fa Luang, Thailand
Located about 8 km. from Chinese border, the 3rd and 5th
Regiments of the 93rd Division of Kuomintang (KMT) armies took refuge here after
long battle with Chinese army. They eventually settled here and helped the Thai
Government in fighting the communist forces. The Memorial to Chinese Division 93
was established in the memory of the fallen.
A large golden hand holding a golden rose bud was installed
in a circular pool called "Wishing Pool"
At some stage in 2018/2019 the design of hand was changed and
the bud was also replaced with a golden rose in full bloom;
Near the pool there is a bench formed by two hands. Text on
the seat reads "Redeemed Seat"
Beautiful Carved Buddha's Hand, Sukhothai, Thailand
Image of this beautiful hand is widely available as a free image and
also in other web pages but it was difficult to find its location on the Google
Map. Google search revealed that the hand is at
Kingdom of Father Ceramics,
A. Muang, Sukhotha, Thailand, but surprisingly hand couldn't be found at the
address and the map, given in their web site was also not helpful. It was
ultimately found through
Google Earth Community Forum, whose members have the reputation of finding
the location of almost any object on the Earth.
Hand Holding Apple, Amasya, Turkey
Amasya region is famous for for producing high-quality, well-flavoured
apples.
Hand Holding A Plane, Air Force Museum, Ankara, Turkey
It looks that the hand is ready to launch the plane, the way
kids launch paper planes.
Monument to the Friendship of Nations, Antakya, Turkey
Two raised hands one holding a globe and other holding olives
and olive branch.
Image from Google Earth @ Coordinates: 36.208195, 36.167716 is by
Osman Ünlü
Haşim's Hand, Karaalioğlu Park, Antalya, Turkey
Installed in 1975, in memory of Haşim İşcan, a legendary
governor of Antalya. It was created by Turkish artist Kuzgun Acar, who during
its creation embedded his and his wife's wedding rings in the sculpture, to
immortalize their love for each other. Hasim's face profile is etched the wrist
of the hand.
Hand Holding Wheat Stalks, Aslanapa, Turkey
Image from Google Earth @ Coordinates: 39.214554, 29.870627 is by
Osman Ünlü
Giant Hand Holding Hazelnut, Giresun, Turkey
Installed in April 2015, at Giresun Hazelnut Market, which is
Turkey largest wholesale market of Hazelnut.
Giant Hand Holding Meatball on Fork, İnegöl, Turkey
İnegöl is famous for its köfte (grilled meatballs). These are
spherical as well as flat. This 7 metre high, monument to köfte was installed at the junction
of Main Bursa-Eskisehir Highway (E90) with Havaalani Street. This junction was
subsequently changed to clover leaf interchange and the sculpture is no longer
visible in Google Maps or Google Street View. It may have been relocated
elsewhere.
Image from Google Earth @ Coordinates: 40.091358, 29.492828 is by
Remzi Aydin
Hand Holding Wheat Stalk, Karapinar, Turkey
This 4.5 metre tall, white hand holding a wheat stalk, is
titled "
Başak Anıtı" in Turkish, which translates into English as "Virgo
Monument". As per
Wikipedia; "
In Egyptian mythology, the time when the Sun was in the
constellation Virgo marked the beginning of the wheat harvest, thus connecting
Virgo back to the wheat grain."
Permission to use image awaited.
Google Street
View (Not visible in Google Maps or Street View imagery but the location can
be seen in GSV)
Hand With Rosary, Oltu, Turkey
Located in the square in front of the Fortress of Oltisi.
Oltu is famous for its Oltu stone - black amber with dull-bright black colour
gemstone, which is carved to produce jewellery, rosary beads etc.
Monument to Roasted Chickpeas, Tavşanlı, Anatolia, Turkey
Tavşanlı is famous for its roasted chickpeas. The
sculpture has a height of 3.5 metres.
Hand with Rings, Jewellery Market, Yakutiye, Turkey
Lovers' Hands, Valley Of Love, Da Lat, Vietnam
A hand putting a ring on the fingers of another hand. Valley
of Love is picturesque, love and romance themed park. It attracts thousands of
tourists specially honeymoon couples.
Tall Hand, Dandabah camping area, Bunya Mountains National
Park, QLD, Australia
A big hand with mushrooms and a creeper climbing on it.
"Quasi" Hand, Wellington, New Zealand
A strange looking hand with a face on back side (dorsal) of
palm. Any similarity to the face of US president Donald Trump is coincidental.
According to the artist Ronnie van Hout, Quasi is a partial self-portrait which
is based on the scans of the his body parts. The sculpture created in 2016,
measures 5m x 3m was originally installed on the top of the Christchurch Art
Gallery building. In August 2019 it was relocated to the roof of City Gallery in
Wellington.
Current location in Wellington -
Google Street View (Not yet
visible, but the building on which it is presently installed can be seen.).
However it can be seen in this
Google Street View (Photosphere).
Gnarled Hands at Kristek House, Brno, Czech Republic
Two large golden, gnarled hands, projecting out from the wall
corner, supporting a living tree, at the house of Lubo Kristek, Czech sculptor,
painter and action artist.
Music Conductor's Hand Holding Baton, Estonian National
Opera, Tallinn, Estonia
The car parking barriers at the Estonian National Opera have
an amusing and imaginative, but very appropriate shape of music conductor's hand
holding a baton.
Bouquet of Tulips by Jeff Koons, Paris, France
This beautiful artwork, created by famous American artist
Jeff Koons, is 11 metre high and is one of his largest sculptures. Located in
the garden on the outskirts of the Petit-Palais, the sculpture is made of
polychromed bronze, aluminium and stainless steel. It honours the victims of the
November 2015 attacks. The bouquet consists of 11 flowers and not a dozen, with
the missing 12th meant to represent the victims.
Google Maps
(Not yet visible in Google Maps or Street view.)
"The Thinking Hand", Frankfurt, Germany
Die Denkende Hand (The Thinking Hand), A copper
sculpture by Georg K. Glaser on a wall on Bolongarostraße, Frankfurt.
"Adam's Hand", Rauschberg, Upper Bavaria, Germany
A sculpture by Walter Angerer the Younger.
Hand and Leg (Just Married), Helmond, Holland
Titled "Just Married" is another sculpture by the Dutch
artist Pépé Grégoire and it shows a hand caressing a foot. Located on the
Kerkstraat, Helmond it was installed in 2005.
Hand and Foot in Embrace, Singer Museum, Laren, Holland
An artwork by local artist Pepe Gregoire, it was installed in
November 2017 on the forecourt of Singer Museum.
"Three Hands", Margraten, Holland
Yet another hands sculpture by the Dutch artist Pépé Grégoire.
Installed in 1999, in front of Town Hall, it is titled "Trois Mains"
(three hands) and it shows three hands resting over each other, as if making a
gesture to help/support each other.
Hands at Birreria La Quadra - Pizzeria Al Faro, Via Lido
Po, Guastalla, Italy
The Pizzeria has four hand sculptures on its front.
White Hand, Porto Cervo, Sardinia, Italy
Located in front of Galleria Tonelli, Porto Cervo, Sardinia,
Italy
"Stop Playing" by Lorenzo Quinn, Forte Marghera, Venice,
Italy
Another big Artwork by Lorenzo Quinn in Venice, but on the
main land. Titled "Stop Playing", it depicts one hand holding a catapult and the
other hand stretching its rubber ready to release the spherical missile sculpted
like globe. The artist wanted to convey that we should stop playing with Earth's
resources and environment.
"Building Bridges" by Lorenzo Quinn, Venice, Italy
This is one of the latest and the largest artwork by Lorenzo.
It was installed in May 2019 at Calle Seconda de la Fava, Arsenal, for Venice
Biennale - 2019. The huge installation which measures 25m x 15 m, is titled
Building Bridges and depicts the six universal values of man: love, friendship,
wisdom, help, faith and hope with six pairs of hands that make up a bridge.
As per
forbes.it "
Love is represented with two hands whose fingers are clasped
to each other, friendship with two hands touching each other, wisdom with an
older hand clutching a younger one, the help with two hands joining; faith with
an adult hand that shakes that of a child; hope with two fingers intertwined
fingers".
Image Source: Google Earth imagery of Sept. 2019
"This is not a game" by Lorenzo Quinn, Venice, Italy
Another pair of hands by artist Lorenzo Quinn. It was
installed in July 2011 at San Servolo Island for Venice Biennale - 2011. The
installation titled "This is not a game" shows two giant hands, a life-size T55
Russian battle tank and life-size cast 'toy' soldiers.
In words of the artist
"As I watched my son play on the
terrace with soldiers and a plastic tank, I realised that children are trying to
emulate what they see in everyday life and that, unfortunately, images of tanks
and soldiers dominate the media. The war has become frighteningly familiar. It
almost leaves indifferent those who are not involved and can look at it from the
comfort of their living room. I see world leaders using their armies as toys
that they can maneuver and destroy with the same carelessness as a little boy.
But this is not a game, these are real people and real weapons, and the result
is anything but a game." Source:
English translation from
Ultima Voce
Image from
Flickr is by Mike Yates (Photo by Nicolette Shipton)
At some stage after the 2011 Biennale, it was removed and as
seen in the Google Street View imagery of 2013, it was lying dumped at the docks
near Calle Dietro Ai Magazzini, Santa Marta. A pity that this great sculpture
has been left uncared. A tragic end to this great and powerful work of art. (see
images below). Current status/location unknown.
The Awakening, Viterbo, Italy
The Awakening is a famous piece of art by American artist, J.
Seward Johnson and consists of five separate human body pieces, made of
aluminium, buried in the ground, giving the impression that a panicked giant is
trying to pull himself to the surface.
Two such artworks were already covered in this collection -
one at National Harbour, Prince George's County, MD, USA and the second at
Chesterfield, MO, USA.
This is another replica of Awakening installed at Parco di
Valle Faul, Viterbo, Italy
Shackled Hands With Victory Sign, Belmontas Park, Vilnius, Lithuania
No information is available about this tall pair of shackled
hands with victory sign. It is probably a monument to Lithuania's struggle for
independence from the Soviets.
Google Street
View shows the general location. The sculpture is not visible in the Google
Street View, probably it has been moved to some other location.
Memorial to the Fallen Soldiers of Lješanska Nahija
Region, Podgorica, Montenegro
Two abstract tall hands are part of the memorial at the
spomenik complex in Barutana, Montenegro, which commemorates the many soldiers
and civilians from the Lješanska Nahija region who lost their lives during the
three major wars; the First Balkan War and the two World Wars.
The "Middle Way" (2017), Cascais, Portugal
This artwork Romanian artist Bogdan Rata was earlier
displayed at Liverpool as part of
Moving Monuments Programme of Nasui Collection & Gallery. The hand was
subsequently displayed at many locations around the World but so far I have able
to locate 3 more sites. These are namely, Cascais, Porto and Kiev.
The "Middle Way" (2018) by Bogdan Rata, Porto, Portugal
Created by Romanian artist Bogdan Rata, this Red Hand titled
"Middle Way" was located in front of Concert Hall (
Casa da Musica). It
was installed to celebrate 100 years of diplomatic relations between Portugal
and Romania. It was earlier displayed at Liverpool as part of
Moving Monuments Programme of Nasui Collection & Gallery. The hand was
subsequently displayed at many locations around the World but so far I have able
to locate 3 sites. These are namely, Cascais, Porto and Kiev.
Friendship Monument, Birobidzhan, Jewish Autonomous
Oblast, Russia
Two tall hands holding globe with rockets/sputnik encircling
the globe on their trajectories. The monument built in 2002 was a gift from the
twin city of Hagan, China.
White Hand Made of Wire, Kazan, Russia
Located in green space on Victory Ave, near Athlete's
Village.
Golden Hand Holding Coal, Kemerovo, Russia
A tribute to the coal miners who had worked in the region for
50 years till its closure in 1997. It is installed in the premises of Secondary
School # 50. The 1.5 metres high sculpture was made by local artists Ekaterina
Spiger and her husband Alexander Panasenko.
Permission to use image is awaited
Google Maps
(Not visible in Google Street View but can be visualised in Google Maps)
Hand Holding Globe, Khabarovsk, Russia
Hands of Peace (or World) (Russian: Руки мира), it was
installed as a symbol of friendship between the cities of Suifenhe and
Khabarovsk in honour of the 150th anniversary of Khabarovsk on May 31, 2008.
Hand Holding Tomato, Minusinsk, Russia
Located in park opposite a market off ulitsa Krupskoy,
Minusinsk.
Three Red Hands, LOFTEC Apartments, Basmanny District,
Moscow, Russia
Monument to Family, Love and Loyalty, Mytishchi, Moscow,
Russia
Located in in the Park of Culture and Recreation, which
stretches out on the left bank of River Yauza, the sculpture shows two hands,
one male and other female, stretch towards each other. On the pedestal is the
image of the Murom prince Peter and his beloved Fevronia, who are traditionally
considered the patron saints of family and marriage in Russia.
On the other side of the pedestal is a plaque in bas-relief,
which tell the short story about the princely couple. It also has impressions of
palms of the royal couples. According to the sculptors Denis Solovyov and
Alexander Goryunov, the newlyweds should place their hands on the impressions of
palms and take an oath in eternal love and loyalty.
Hands at Burganov's House Museum, Moscow, Russia
The house and studio of the famous Russian sculptor Alexander
Bourganov contains many hand sculptures in different forms and sometimes in
fusion with other body parts/objects. In 2001 the house was officially given the
status of a State Museum, known as Bourganov's House Museum.
Some of these hands are pictured below;
Green Hands Valentine, Cape Love, Novorossiysk, Russia
Valentine heart topiary installed in May 2019 is made of
artificial turf and the height of the art object exceeds the human height.
"Breakthrough" Memorial, Tatsinskaya, Rostov, Russia
This brutalist art work showing huge abstract fingers holding
tanks, is a memorial to the Russian 2nd Guards Tatsinsky Panzer Corps, who in a
surprise raid, deep inside German controlled area, destroyed the German air base
in the village of Tatsinskaya in December 1942. The corps achieved their
purpose, but suffered a heavy loss. The Tatsinskaya Airfield was the main
airfield used by the German Wehrmacht during the Battle of Stalingrad to supply
the encircled 6th Army from outside.
The memorial was opened in May 1983. Designed by
artist-architect P. Ibalakova, it was created mainly from the remains of German
aircrafts and 24 tanks of the tank corps.
Monument to Music Conductor, Finestrat, Spain
An artwork by Josep Azorin.
Hands at Quinn Creations, Gavà, Spain
Two hands can be seen at Quinn Creations through Google
Street View. These are probably in the final stage of finishing.
Hand #1
It is replica of Lorenzo Quinn's "Give and Take" located at
various locations.
Hand #2
The final product of above titled "Paint Your Own Life", on
display at Quinn Creations, can be seen in Lorenzo's
Facebook page.
Hand Shaped Way Marker to Peru-Harri, Stone Park-Museum,
Spain
A giant hand way marker, on the Uitzi-Leitza Road, NA-1700,
with forefinger pointing towards the branching road leading to the Peru-Harri,
Stone Park-Museum.
Giant Hands at Peru-Harri Stone Park-Museum, near Leitza,
Spain
Created by famous stone lifter and sculptor Iñaki Perurena
Gartziarena, the museums contains many sculptures including two giant sized
hands.
Memorial to
It commemorates the comuneros (citizens) of various
towns of Castile, who had revolted against the Spanish king Charles I, in
1520-21.
Hands Supporting Globe, Ariana Park, Palais des Nations,
Geneva, Switzerland
The artwork titled "Thoughts and Desires" is by artists Ali
Ibadullayev and Salhab Mammadov. It is located at the back of United Nations
Conference on Trade and Development and was gifted by Azerbaijan in October 2017
on completing 25 years of its UNO membership. The sculpture is made of bronze
and granite, and measures 3.80m x 1.90m x 1.80m.
Hand of a River God, Bristol Marina, Bristol, UK
An artwork by Vincent Woropay, installed in 1985, on the
Baltic Wharf. The bowl originally held a small fountain in the form of a male
figure supporting an obelisk, but it was stolen and never replaced.
The "Middle Way" (2014), Liverpool, UK
Created by Romanian artist Bogdan Rata, this Red Hand titled
"Middle Way" was located in front of St. George's Hall. The sculpture is 3.5
meters high and is made of polyester/polystyrene, synthetic resin and
fibreglass. The hand was displayed at Liverpool as part of
Moving Monuments Programme of Nasui Collection & Gallery. The hand was
subsequently displayed at many locations around the World but so far I have able
to locate 3 sites. These are namely, Cascais, Porto and Kiev.
"Helping Hands", Three Mills Green, London, UK
An artwork by Alec Peever, the sculpture is also known as
Workers Memorial and it commemorates four tragic deaths in an industrial
accident on 12th July 1901. The sculpture depicts a hand clasped around another
hand as if trying to lift up the other from some danger. It was unveiled in
2001, on the occasion of 100 years of the tragedy.
The Blue "Middle Way" (2018), Kiev, Ukraine
This is the blue version of Red Hand created by Romanian
artist Bogdan Rata and it is also titled "Middle Way" and it symbolises
"friendship and cooperation". Located on the Taras Shevchenko Boulevard at the
same spot where the city's red granite monument to Lenin was located and the
same was toppled during the 2014 Maidan uprising.
Hand Holding A Leaf, Belize City, Belize
At the roundabout at start of the Western Highway the giant
hand holding a leaf, is commonly known as "Golden Leaf of OK-ness". It was
designed by Joseph Chiang and after its installation the roundabout is known as
"The Visible Hand" roundabout.
Hand Pointing a Gun to Raised Hands, Merliot, El Salvador
The sculpture with two giant sized, white, open hands titled
"Monument to Transparency" was installed by the government to represent the
clean and transparent hands of the officials who run the country.
In order to protest against the false transparency, 'The
Collective of Artists Mórula', installed in front of the raised hand, a
temporary sculpture of a hand with gun, to highlight that in El Salvador the
people have hands up (surrendered) before the corrupt officials, who are
stealing from the people. The temporary sculpture installed in September 2017,
was made of wire and paper and it was subsequently removed.
Permission to use the image awaited.
"Rise Up", National Memorial for Peace and Justice,
Montgomery, AL, USA
Installed in 2016, the artwork titled "Rise Up" by Hank
Willis Thomas, consists of a cement wall with statues of black heads and bodies
emerging from the top of the wall, with raised hands, suggesting total
surrender. The sculpture is a sad commentary on the several incidences of the
police violence and brutality witnessed in the country in recent years.
Michelangelo's "Arm of God" Sundial, Felicity, CA, USA
Felicity is an unincorporated community in Imperial County,
California and its key feature is a 21-foot-tall stone-and-glass pyramid. At the
entrance to pyramid is a sundial whose 15 foot bronze hand is modelled after
pointed finger and arm of God in Michelangelo's famous painting "Creation of
Adam" on the ceiling of the of Sistine Chapel in Vatican City.
Hand Shaped Bike Stand, Loveland, CO, USA
Though not very big hands but being included here because of
artistic imagination behind the design. Located at a parking lot at N Railroad
Ave and W 4th St.
Victory and Peace Sign, Alexis, IL, USA
Located on a private property at the at the intersection of
Illinois Route 94 and 135. It was carved out of a dead tree which once stood at
the property.
Permission to use image is thankfully acknowledged.
"Helping Hands", Chicago Women's Park and Gardens,
Chicago, USA
This artwork by Louise Bourgeois is a tribute to Chicago's
social reformer and activist, Jane Addams who won Nobel Peace Prize of 1931. It
consists of six black granite hands mounted rough-hewn stone pedestals. It was
originally installed in 1996 at the Navy Pier Park, where it was frequently
vandalised. In 2006 it was removed and kept in storage and finally after repairs
it was installed in 2011 at the Chicago Women’s Park and Gardens.
Giant Hand with Painted Nails, Pana, IL, USA
This giant hand with painted nails is located on IL-16 Hwy
near its intersection with N. 2300 East Rd. The hand is about 5.5 m (18 ft) long
and installed with it are sculptures of tall boot and a car on a pole. It is
understood that it is planned to be used by a local business man as a giant
landmark pointer indicating the way to his business.
Star Trek Vulcan Greeting, Peru, Illinois
A wooden carved hand displaying the Vulcan "Live Long &
Prosper" greeting. Created circa 2012, it is located on a private property and
was carved out of a dead tree at the premises. As per comments in
roadsideamerica.com it
is in bad shape now and needs cleaning and varnising.
Permission to use the image awaited.
Smoking Hand Letterbox, Holland, Michigan, USA
A unusual and artistic letter box. A well manicured feminine
hand holding a cigarette shaped letterbox.
Giant Hands at Fox Cave, Ruidoso Downs, Glencoe, NM, USA
Fox Cave located on East Highway near Ruidoso, New Mexico,
was once used as a hideout by William H. Bonney, better known as Billy the Kid.
It is now a roadside attraction, basically a gift shop housed in the cave.
Giant Hand of "Unity", Brooklyn, NY, USA
Unity, 2019, an original artwork by Hank Willis Thomas was commissioned by the City of New York Department of Cultural Affairs Percent for Art Program, the Department of Transportation and the Department of Design and Construction. The artwork which was unveiled on November 9, 2019, depicts a 6.7 metre (22 ft.) tall bronze arm with index finger pointing skywards. It is located near the access to the Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn, NY, between the United States Post Office and the United States District Court, at the Intersection of Tillary and Adams streets.
Permission to use the image is thankfully acknowledged.
"Serve and Protect", Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
A pair of bronze hands lying on the ground palms upwards,
created for first responders, namely; Police, Fire and Emergency Services. This
art work by Gregory Ragland measures 38 ft x 20 ft x 20 ft and is located at
Public Safety Building.
Giant Nailed Hand of Christ, Logan, Spokane, WA, USA
Located near St Aloysius Church in the Gonzaga University.
Monument to Charango, Aiquile, Bolivia
Two hands playing Charango - a small Andean stringed
instrument of the lute family. Its residents are reputed to be the best charango
makers in the country.
Monument to Nossa Senhora Aparecida, Cascavel Cathedral,
Cascavel, Brazil
Nossa Senhora Aparecida (Our Lady of Conception
Aparecida) is the patron saint of Brazil. Installed in 1995, the monument shows
two giant hands holding a statue of Virgin Mary.
Big Hand, Chile Chico, Chile
In front of Camping Lo del Ale, on Route 265, at the eastern
entrance to the town.
Yellow Hand, Villavicencio, Colombia
An abstract hand with many colourful rings on the fingers and
a map on the area on the palm.
Monument to Hospitality, Guayaquileña, Equador
Monumento a la Hospitalidad (Monument to Hospitality)
is a welcome sign, showing a pair of huge hands, located at the intersection of
the roads coming from the Guayaquil Airport and the main Bus Terminal catering
to National and International passengers.
Permission to use the image awaited.
___________________________________
Credits:
I am thankful to all the artists/photographers/organisations
who gave me permission to use images from their websites. Individual
acknowledgments are given under the relevant images.
I also thank all the Travel Guides of Google Maps whose
photos, uploaded in Google Maps, have been used in this collection. Wherever
possible, I normally send individual acknowledgments to all those whose images I
use in my posts. Unfortunately there is no way I can contact the Travel Guides
of Google Maps. It was possible till Panoramio/Picasaweb were available, however
after the demise of these two image sharing/hosting services, I am unable to send acknowledgments individually.
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