Yakov Smirnoff

Yakov Smirnoff (born January 24, 1951) is, according to his own description, a Russian-born American comedian.

9/11 mural

Smirnoff is also a painter.

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He has frequently featured the Statue of Liberty in his art since receiving his U.S. citizenship at Ellis Island.

Related Topics:
Statue of Liberty - Ellis Island

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On the night of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks he started a painting inspired by his feelings about the event, and based on an image of the Statue of Liberty. Just prior to the first anniversary of the attacks, he paid $100,000 for his painting to be transformed into a large mural. Its dimensions were 200 feet by 135 feet.

Related Topics:
Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks - Painting

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The mural, titled America's Heart, is a pointillist-style piece, with one brushstroke for each victim of the attacks. Sixty volunteers from the Sheet Metal Workers Union erected the mural on a damaged skyscraper overlooking the ruins of the World Trade Center. The mural remained there until November 2003, when it was removed because of storm damage.

Related Topics:
Pointillist - World Trade Center

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