Posted on 01/03/2015 12:54:34 AM PST by moose07
There is a trapdoor on Christ's right shoulder.
To mount the steps and slowly, fearfully peer out is to see the world through the eyes of a bird, or even a god. Far below, white blocks of flats and offices cluster among folds of tropical green.
Down there are the poor in the favelas, the rich in the luxury high-rise apartments, the homeless, the famous football stadiums and Guanabara bay with its scattered islands and boats. Beyond the sands of Copacabana and Ipanema, the limitless Atlantic ocean.
To the left, standing twice a man's height, is the slightly bowed head of Christ, also looking down on the beauty of the city.
But unlike the forests or the ocean, this statue was the work of man and will not last for ever. Close up, the toll of 83 years of weathering is starkly apparent.
Unnoticed by the 5,000 who visit the landmark every day - and see it only from a distance - the surface is a patchwork of worn mosaic tiles resembling the skin of an aged reptile.
Lightning storms have been chipping away at it. In January, two direct hits in eight days blasted off a middle fingertip and scorched the back of the head, sparking a race to patch up Rio's favourite picture-postcard scene before the World Cup in June.
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.co.uk ...
I really enjoyed the BBC web article. Fascinating information about something I’ve wondered about for probably several decades but never investigated.
I especially liked that scrolling mask technique in the article. It took a bit of getting used to because I didn’t realize what was going on, but overall, I think the creators of the overall article and its presentation did an excellent job.
Thank you for posting this. :0)
Awesome!!! Thanks for posting!
I saw it in 1977. I didn’t know it was there. We had pulled into Rio harbor to anchor and have Liberty. I had worked all night and woke up about dusk. I walked up on the flight deck and could see the city but not Sugarloaf mountain. All of the sudden they turn the lights on to the statue. All I could see was Jesus Christ standing in the sky. :>} Then some guy said “Hey cool they turned the lights on on top of Sugarloaf”.
I’m sure I didn’t know that it wasn’t carved, but constructed out of concrete. Definitely must see those photos at the original. Thanks moose07.
Thanks for posting this :)
Glad you enjoyed it.
:)
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