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For Your Freedom and Ours - Photo Credit to Jess Bemowski
There has always been a Polish influence in America. 'For Your Freedom and Ours' is designed to convey that interwoven history. The design started by incorporating the American bald eagle and the Polish white eagle as they are preeminent iconic symbols of these two nations.
The allegory and symbolism of the sculpture: Two larger-than-life eagles, perched on tapering spires, represent Poland and the United States. The eagles are together, in mutual support, as the two countries' histories have intertwined and overlapped even since the pilgrims of Jamestown, and that of the Revolutionary War, where Polish Generals Pulaski and Kosciuszko gave their leadership support to General Washington. The tall spires reference the grandness of these countries' histories.
Freedom is an ongoing process. The sculpture's title is inspired by the Polish motto "Za wolność waszą i naszą" (For our freedom and yours), a rallying cry used since 1830 to unite oppressed peoples from many nations. The canted and skewed spires signify the difficulties of upholding and retaining justice and liberty. The cracked and broken tips of the spires indicate that freedom came with hardship and sacrifice.
Corten alloy and stainless steel are used for durability, permanence, and signify strength and longevity. These materials also differentiate the Crowned Polish white eagle and the American bald eagle.
Project Photos
