St Michael - Fights for Good over Evil, Light over Darkness.

This is Fantastic Art sculpture at it's over the top best. There is so much to inspire the imagination in
it we found it irresisible and very hard to move off from. The main sculpture is encircled by many smaller bronzes,
created by NYC school children and the "theatre" structure that houses it invites contemplation as much as a
gathering of players with enough room for an audience of 100 or so. The Devil comes out very badly, his severed
head dangles from the crab that supports our hero. St Michael himself is having the savage beast within him
soothed by the gentle attention of all the "good" animals of the earth.
It is located a stones throw from Columbia University, an absolute gem.

image © lee-anne raymond

See transcript below

image © lee-anne raymond

© lee-anne raymond

Transcript of text from the Sculpture's plaque
" Peace Fountain celebrates the triumph of good over evil and sets before us the worlds opposing forces -
Violence and Harmony Light and Darkness Life and Death - Which God reconciles in his peace.
When the fountain operates four courses of water cascade down the freedom pedestal into a
maelstrome evolking the primordial chaos of earth. Foresquare around the base flames of freedom
rise in witness to the future. Ascending from the pool the freedom pedestal is shaped like the double
helix of DNA. The key molecule of life. Atop the pedestal a giant crab reminds us of lifes origins in
the sea and struggle. Facing west a somnolent moon reflects tranquillity from a joyus sun smiling to
the east. The swirls encircling the heavenly bodies bespeak the larger movements of the cosmos with
which earthly life is continuous.
Nine giraffes-among the most peacable of animals-nestle and prance about the center. One rests its
head upon the bosom of the winged Archangel Michael, described in the Bible as the leader of the
heavenly host against the forces of evil. St Michael's sword is vanquishing his chief opponent, Satan,
whose decapitated figure plunges into the deapths, his head dangling beneath the crabs claw. Tucked
away next to the sun a lion and lamb relax together in the peace of God's kingdom, as foretold by the
prophet Isahia."

really