I just located these photographs, which I made on 30 April 2017 when passing through Blackshear. They were an unusual advertisement for the opening of a new business, but that business is no longer open, so this is not an advertisement. It was an amazing display of art in an area that doesn’t often see this kind of work.
The life-sized resin sculpture, 40 feet wide, is the work of Sicilian-born artist Sergio Furnari.
The photograph on which the sculpture is based, “Lunch atop a Skyscraper”, was made 850 feet above the street and the men depicted were building the RCA Building. It was first attributed to Lewis Hine, but the identity of the photographer is now in debate. For a time, it was credited to Charles C. Ebbets, but that is now disputed, as well.
It is considered one of the most iconic images of the Great Depression and typifies the American work ethic of the time.
Furnari has made multiple casts of the sculpture in varying sizes and materials. It has been used by many businesses for promotional purposes.
The work was displayed near the site of the World Trade Center after the September 11 attacks.
I was flipping through the phots on this site quickly when I ran across this one. Before I took notice, I thought; what are these guys doing on a trailer truck with their laptops? Of course, my thought process was wired for today. The art of this iconic work is very compelling, and its historical significance and message is powerful. Brian thanks for sharing so much. Your method of educating deserves an award. Jesse Bookhardt
It’s an unbelievably powerful photograph. Workers having to take deadly dangerous jobs as if they were routine, in the service of the billionaires of yesteryear constructing their towering monuments to capitalism. Similar to the slaves who built the pharaohs’ pyramids thousands of years ago. Not much has changed.
Love these photos!
I saw this sculpture in Jacksonville at a sub shop restaurant. Really cool.