A Sculpture Celebrating Saudi Arabia Has Been Erected on Ground Zero

By Davis Richardson
01/09/19 3:31pm
This statue representing Saudi Arabia is just one of 20 nations featured in artist Laurence Jenkell’s ‘Candy of Nations.’ Davis Richardson, Observer

A sculpture celebrating Saudi Arabia’s place in the G20 Summit was erected on the World Trade Center grounds last week, a stone’s throw away from the 9/11 memorial.
Shaped to resemble a piece of candy, the nine-foot-tall statue bears the Kingdom’s emerald flag emblazoned with the Arabic inscription, “There is no god but Allah, and Mohammed is the prophet.” It was created by French sculptor Laurence Jenkell in 2011 as part of the larger installation “Candy Nation” which depicts G20 countries as sugary delights, and has since been featured in over 25 countries. All 20 sculptures are currently on display outside the Oculus shopping center.
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The installation was curated and installed by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. When reached for comment, the organization pointed Observer to a December press release announcing the exhibit.
Saudi Arabia’s flag. Davis Richardson, Observer

All G20 Countries are shown. Davis Richardson, Observer

“In its continuing efforts to transform the World Trade Center site into a dynamic space in Lower Manhattan, the Port Authority announced that beginning today it will showcase famous candy sculptures around the World Trade Center campus crafted by renowned French artist Laurence Jenkell,” reads the statement. “Each of the sculptures features flags from countries in the G20 summit, and the art work was commissioned by companies and organizations including the Chanel Foundation, the International Olympic Committee and Coca-Cola.”

Michael F. Longo @MikeLongoNYC

· Jan 8, 2019


Seriously.... who approved this at the World Trade Center? @NYGovCuomo @PhilMurphyNJ @PANYNJ @EMPIREREPORTNY @Azi



Port Authority NY&NJ ✔ @PANYNJ

You can learn more about the "Candy Nations" art exhibit at https://www.facebook.com/events/276617983048222 …. #CandyNationsWTC #artexhibition https://twitter.com/_WTCOfficial/status/1075511391426146304 …
WTC Official ✔ @_WTCOfficial

Find The Flag. Find the 20 candy flags on display throughout the #WorldTradeCenter created by @LJenkell. Share your pictures with us by tagging #CandyNationsWTC





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7:48 PM - Jan 8, 2019
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Although the installation was originally created in 2011 to convey “an optimistic message of unity beneath external differences,” its placement at the World Trade Center raises questions given longstanding accusations directed toward Saudi Arabia in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks. In 2003, hundreds of families affected by the 9/11 terror attacks sued the Kingdom over its alleged involvement in harboring terrorism—given that 15 of the 19 hijackers were Saudi.
Last March, a U.S. federal judge rejected Saudi Arabia’s motion to drop the charges.


Filed Under: Politics, National Politics, Port Authority, G20 Summit, Saudi Arabia, Laurence Jenkell



https://observer.com/2019/01/saudi-a...89KxfQb_XpjrlE