Man of Peace (not in the sense of the globe, but in the sense of the absence of war) is a symbolic sculpture in the center of Salzburg, between the Cathedral and the Art Gallery.
This highly unusual sculpture is made of white letters from the Latin and Cyrillic alphabets, Chinese and Japanese characters, Indian and Ancient Greek symbols. This entire intercultural alphabet forms the figure of a seated person who has drawn their knees up to their chest and wrapped their arms around them – resembling the pose of an embryo. The sculpture made of letters seems delicate, semi-transparent, and completely weightless, although its size allows you to easily step inside the monument, since it is several times taller than a human being.
The same or similar sculptures made of letters from various languages of the world, but frozen in different poses, can be found in many cities and on different continents. Nice, Budapest, Darmstadt, Shanghai, Miami, Toledo – this is far from a complete list of places where you can encounter the giant snow-white Man of Peace.
The author of all these sculptures, as well as many other famous monuments, fountains, and installations, is the Spanish artist and sculptor Jaume Plensa. He is known throughout the world for his innovative approach to art and the deep symbolism of his creations. At first glance, what could be so special about stainless steel letters painted white and molded into the shape of a person? But with just one look at Jaume Plensa's works, you realize: before you are not just steel letters and white paint, but true art – eternal and beautiful.
