Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

World

Sculpture alluding to Saudi Arabia pulled from World Trade Center

-

A display of sculptures is being pulled from the World Trade Center after critics objected to the presence of one that represents Saudi Arabia at the site of the 9/11 attacks.

The two-meter polyester resin artwork depicting a giant candy wrapped in the green Saudi flag is part of an exhibit entitled "Candy Nations," representing the G20 nations.

Put together in 2011, the installation has already been shown in several countries, as well as elsewhere in New York.

But some observers have been critical of the Saudi flag's presence in the WTC, home to a memorial for the 3,000 Americans killed in the 9/11 strikes.

Of the 19 hijackers who commandeered four jetliners and crashed into the twin towers in New York, a Pennsylvania field and the Pentagon in Virginia -- 15 were Saudi nationals.

A US congressional report on the September 11 attacks laid some blame with the US ally, but those passages were never made public, according to Bob Graham, the former senator who co-chaired the commission that produced the report.

"We have been in contact with the 9/11 Memorial and various stakeholders, and in full collaboration with the artist will relocate the exhibit from its current location," the Port Authority, which manages the site, said in a statement.

The entire exhibit is being sent to JFK International Airport, the group added.

"We believe this solution respects the unique sensitivities of the site and preserves the artistic integrity of the exhibit," it added.

The move will take place this week.

A display of sculptures is being pulled from the World Trade Center after critics objected to the presence of one that represents Saudi Arabia at the site of the 9/11 attacks.

The two-meter polyester resin artwork depicting a giant candy wrapped in the green Saudi flag is part of an exhibit entitled “Candy Nations,” representing the G20 nations.

Put together in 2011, the installation has already been shown in several countries, as well as elsewhere in New York.

But some observers have been critical of the Saudi flag’s presence in the WTC, home to a memorial for the 3,000 Americans killed in the 9/11 strikes.

Of the 19 hijackers who commandeered four jetliners and crashed into the twin towers in New York, a Pennsylvania field and the Pentagon in Virginia — 15 were Saudi nationals.

A US congressional report on the September 11 attacks laid some blame with the US ally, but those passages were never made public, according to Bob Graham, the former senator who co-chaired the commission that produced the report.

“We have been in contact with the 9/11 Memorial and various stakeholders, and in full collaboration with the artist will relocate the exhibit from its current location,” the Port Authority, which manages the site, said in a statement.

The entire exhibit is being sent to JFK International Airport, the group added.

“We believe this solution respects the unique sensitivities of the site and preserves the artistic integrity of the exhibit,” it added.

The move will take place this week.

AFP
Written By

With 2,400 staff representing 100 different nationalities, AFP covers the world as a leading global news agency. AFP provides fast, comprehensive and verified coverage of the issues affecting our daily lives.

You may also like:

Tech & Science

Nicole Janssen knows a thing or two about navigating fear of artificial intelligence

Life

Trump, who began his second term last month, has launched a crusade led by his top donor and world's richest man Elon Musk.

World

An eco-friendly paper straw -- but do they work? - Copyright POOL/AFP Mark SchiefelbeinPresident Donald Trump on Friday raged against eco-friendly paper straws promoted...

Business

Trump has slapped tariffs on China, delayed duties against Mexico and Canada and threatened to target Europe 'soon' - Copyright AFP/File OLIVIER DOULIERYMarie-Morgane LE...