Light of Freedom
Light of Freedom is a sculpture installation by American artist Abigail DeVille created in 2020. DeVille has said the sculpture celebrates "people that hooked each other arm-in-arm, and protested ... to fight for whatever this nation actually pretends that it was founded or based on." Artwork Light of Freedom is a sculptural reimagining of the torch from Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi's Statue of Liberty (Liberty Enlightening the World) in New York Harbor. Specifically, DeVille was inspired by a photo of the torch from 1876 when it was being exhibited, separately from the rest of the statue, in Madison Square Park. The work consists of steel welded to form a hollow cage in the shape of a torch with a flame. At the top of the torch handle, inside the welded steel, is a reclaimed rusted metal school bell that cannot be rung. The flame is filled with outstretched mannequin arms painted blue. The torch is surrounded by metal scaffolding painted gold with metal cables attached to keep the torch aloft within the scaffolding. Three wooden planks are positioned at different angles on the scaffolding platforms, surrounding the torch. The entire structure sits on top of four small concrete pedestals. History The