Tweet

Temporary Exhibition of “Unconditional Surrender” Ending Soon

Thursday, 02 February 2012
Contact: Marguerite Elicone (619) 686-6222, (619) 686-6281

The 25-foot tall sculpture that commemorates the day that World War II ended and has provided the backdrop for thousands of tourists' photos, will soon be leaving the waterfront.

"Unconditional Surrender," an artwork depicting a World War II sailor kissing a nurse, has graced the park at Tuna Harbor, near the Fish Market Restaurant and the USS Midway, since February 2007. The 6,000-pound artwork, created by sculptor Seward Johnson in 2005, will be taken down during the last week of February, 2012.

The sculpture is owned by the Sculpture Foundation, a non-profit organization in Santa Monica, California. It was originally on loan to the Port of San Diego for a one-year period which was to end in February 2008. Since then, because of its popularity, the loan has been extended 12 times.

The monumental sculpture is a three-dimensional depiction of a famous moment caught on film —a sailor embracing a nurse during spontaneous celebrations in Times Square, New York, upon the official announcement that World War II had just ended. The date was August 14, 1945.

Prior to its installation in San Diego, the sculpture was displayed in New York as part of the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II. It was then displayed in Sarasota, Florida through the summer of 2006.

The work of taking down the artwork and preparing it for transport to its next destination will take about two days.

The Port of San Diego's Public Art Office is committed to presenting opportunities for the residents of California and visitors to the region to experience public art that embodies the essence of the Port's maritime, environmental and civic character. The Public Art Office encourages the creative expression of artists in order to enhance the visual excitement, aesthetic appeal and cultural richness of the Port tidelands.