Bostoniano Magazine features "Boston Bronze and Stone Speak To Us" Boston, MA

BOSTONIANO

Published a few years ago, Joseph R. Gallo’s “Boston Bronze & Stone Speak to Us” has become one of the most sought after books on Boston’s art history. The
book is a beautiful pictorial essay of the city’s most talented artists and commemorative events over a 400- year history. “The artist/sculptor cap- tures the spirit of a
human experience,” writes Gallo. “This sometimes eclectic selection of unusual and often contradictory monuments seems to me somewhat symbolic of the idiosyncratic character of Boston itself.”

 Sure, you might know about the Christopher Columbus statue on the Waterfront, but did you know there is one in a Beacon Hill garden, too? And how about Parkman Plaza, adorned with sculptures by artists Arcangelo Cascieri and Adio DiBiccari? (bostonbronzeandstone.com)
August 2015.

"Boston Bronze and Stone Speak To Us" book can be purchased at Faneuil Hall Book Store, The Old North Church Gift Shop and Amazon.com.

Why Monuments are Defaced or Destroyed Boston, MA

Christopher Columbus Defaced

Christopher Columbus Monument by Andrew J. Mazzola

Photos by Steven Passacantilli courtesy NorthEndwaterfront.com http:/northendwaterfront.com/2015/06/christopher-columbus-statue-vandalized/

Why are Monuments Defaced?

Christopher Columbus Carrara marble statue in Boston was defaced a few weeks ago to protest the on going conflict in some of our American cities between Afro-Americans and Local police forces.

A number of years ago a similar defacing and decapitation of the Christopher Columbus monument in the city of Boston occurred, at that time from an out cry of our native American community for injustices done to their people past and present.

Each protest to this white Carrara marble statue was indirectly symbolically aimed at our White Caucasian majority. Christopher Columbus symbolizes that White Caucasian Christian majority from Europe who dominated, conquered, controlled enslaved and almost eradicated these minority groups within America.

Monuments can bring out all sorts of feelings, emotions ideologies out from all people and all sectors of society.Monuments speak to each one of us in different and unique ways.

Christopher Columbus

Waterfront / Christopher Columbus ParkAndrew J. Mazzola, SculptorCarrara Marble

This monument is located in one of the most beautiful and historic parks within Boston.
The historic docks constructed and used for the Mercantile trade between Boston, Europe and the Caribbean during the 1600’s,1700’s and 1800’s border this park.

The Boston Parks Department Summer Concert Series and the Holiday lighting of the blue lit Arbor Ceremony all happen here, right before Christopher Columbus.

The Christopher Columbus Park was constructed in 1974, thanks to the efforts of a non-profit group formed by residents and businesses in the North End and Waterfront areas. This tribute to the park’s namesake explorer was added a few years later. In their proximity to the North End, the statue and park emphasize Columbus’s Italian heritage. The statue created by Andrew J. Mazzola of Norwood Monumental Works is carved from Italian Carrara marble, favored by sculptors for its quality and its translucence. The marble’s porous surface has also been susceptible to vandals, some of whom view Columbus as an oppressor, not a hero.

The voyages of Columbus molded the future of European colonization and encouraged European exploration of foreign lands for centuries to come.

Columbus’ initial 1492 voyage came at a critical time of emerging modern western imperialism and economic competition between developing kingdoms seeking wealth from the establishment of trade routes and colonies. In this sociopolitical climate, Columbus’s farfetched scheme won the attention of Isabelle of Castle. Severely underestimating the circumference of the Earth, he estimated that a westward route from Iberia to the Indies would be shorter than the overland trade route through Arabia. If true, this would allow Spain entry into the lucrative spice trade heretofore commanded by the Arabs and Italians. Following his plotted course, he instead landed within the Bahamas at a locale he named San Salvador. Mistaking the lands he encountered for Asia, he
referred to the inhabitants as (“indios,” Spanish for “Indians”). 

"Boston Bronze and Stone Speak To Us" can be purchased on Amazon.com, Fanuiel Hall Gift Store and Old North Church Gift Shop Boston, MA

A Monument Came to Visit Me or Did I Visit It?

          A monumemt came to visit me today, or did I visit it?

The Healing Wall

Joe Gallo Touching the names etched on The Healing Wall

Flags waved and sirens sounded, the truck carrying the monument, escorted by Massachusetts State Police followed by 350 motorcyclists roaring by with our 58,300 Vietnam War Veterans coming back to visit all of us.

All of the solders arrived; their names etched on garbo black aluminum wall panels. Our Governor, Charlie Baker, and hundreds of others greeting them," That is the lesson Vietnam taught us. Even if you don't support the war, you should support the soldier."

I was no soldier like these men and women or like my father was during the Second World War.

I had to visit these names of once alive youthful Americans with their hopes and dreams as all of us had at their age. Americans who went in place of me. I had to greet and thank them for their ultimate sacrifice for their country. I came very close of going to Vietnam then. The lottery was my master as it was for every young man at that time.

Touching the wall of names connected me with them. I, like everyone else who views this wall was unable to discern these soldiers rank nor ethnicity. I do know these soldiers were all my American brothers and sisters. Monuments do that with people. Monuments help to celebrate,  criticize,  educate, commemorate, inspire, remember, respect and even heal the men and the women who look upon these monuments with etched names. Radiating from such slabs of stone, aluminum, marble or bronze are feelings or memories of these veterans and the times they lived and died.

Was I worthy enough to even touch these young soldiers names, frozen in time, their ultimate sacrifice allowing me to stand on this side of the Wall of life? This thin barrier of sheer aluminum here in Gloucester or stone in Washington DC, separates us.

I came to visit and thank all 58,300 soldiers allowing me to live my life with freedoms that are all so dear to each one of us. Thank you American Veterans for allowing me to live my life, my dreams.

Thank all you soldiers, you are still touching us all today.

Joseph R Gallo 

14 Old Nugent Farm Road, Gloucester, MA

author of "Boston Bronze and Stone Speak To Us"