Halos Of Liberty

More than a century later, the Statue of Liberty remains the undisputed symbol not only of New York, but of an entire system of values: democracy, hospitality and freedom. Since 1886, its silhouette has been the first image to strike the eyes of those arriving at the port of the metropolis, becoming a universal icon!
The work was born from the vision of French jurist Édouard de Laboulaye, who wanted to celebrate the centenary of American independence and the unbreakable bond between France and the United States. While the aesthetics bear the signature of sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, the steel skeleton was designed by Gustave Eiffel, who was able to make the structure flexible and resistant to fierce ocean winds. Its history is also a lesson in civic participation. Built entirely in Paris and shipped overseas in 350 pieces, it was the result of a collective effort: while the French people financed its construction, it was the American citizens – mobilised by a historic fundraising campaign promoted by publisher Joseph Pulitzer – who paid for the construction of the majestic pedestal.

Over the past 150 years, the Statue has been a silent witness to major events in human history. It has watched ships laden with immigrants sail into the bay; it has seen the shadows of two world wars, the struggles for civil rights, the chill of the Cold War and the fall of the Berlin Wall, right up to the trauma of 11 September. Today, in an era marked by new uncertainties for global democracies, the statue continues to stand proud. It is a symbol of unwavering hope and a constant reminder that the values of human rights will always prevail.
Sometimes, nature seems to want to pay homage to the power of symbols. In a handheld shot taken from the ferry connecting Ellis Island to Manhattan, the Statue is shown surrounded by elements that reinforce its symbolic value. As a seagull crosses the sky spreading its wings — a natural reminder of freedom — a series of rare optical phenomena framed the Statue's crown. These are not simple rainbows created by rain, but a complex interaction of light with small ice crystals suspended in the air. This rare atmospheric condition created an extraordinary scene: a perfect solar halo, accompanied by parhelia (so-called “false suns”), a parahelical arc and a superior tangent arc. A dance of small “rainbows”, which have always been symbols of peace, seem to emphasise the message offered to us by the Statue of Liberty.

Motorola Thinkphone, sequence of a burst of 5 images, handfree, 23mm, f/1.9, 1/12000 sec, iso 100

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