A modern-day “David” is sculpted out of Vermont Danby marble
Bryant Park in New York City last week. An opening reception was held on December 10, and the sculptures will remain on view indefinitely.
"Hero," which weighs 6,000 pounds, is made from Olympic White Vermont Danby marble, which was furnished by ABC Stone of Brooklyn, NY, and was created as an interpretation of Michelangelo's "David." Union Marble fabricated the statue and Precision Stone, Inc. of Long Island, NY, provided the drafting, project development, coordination and installation.
“I wanted to create two symbolic protectors of New York City that celebrate the superhuman and the inspiration that it channels," Saracino said in a statement. “Their layered design, shows ‘the universal ability of mankind to cement its own presence in the world with its perennial construction skills.’”
Of the endeavor, Jonathan Tibett, proprietor of ABC Stone and Precision Stone said, "We were entrusted to provide the most beautiful selection of Olympic White Marble from Vermont Danby Quarries with meticulous fabrication and tremendous engineering and coordination to successfully achieve the magnificent result. We want to congratulate Antonio Pio Saracino for his beautiful design and for asking us to assist him on such a fabulous and worthy project. The level of complexity of making the over 170 different shaped pieces that make up this statue with exact tolerances was no simple task. To achieve proper balance and proportion we went through many levels of computer generated modeling to ensure symmetry, balance and structural integrity.
The installation of this 6-ton piece was done with precise execution determining exacting pick points to ensure proper engagement of each of the heavy segments. Any minor misalignments would have been catastrophic. The creativity, technology, artisanship and technology utilized on this project were nothing less than heroic from all involved."
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