Although close and associated with people, the 'hand' has always been a creative subject for many famous sculptors. Let's review the most impressive 'hands' in the world.
1. Giant hand of Golden Bridge – Da Nang, Vietnam
The Golden Bridge in Da Nang was inaugurated in 2018, with the design of giant hands supporting the 150m long yellow arc road. The bridge is considered one of the tourist symbols inviting visitors to Da Nang, once voted by the British newspaper as one of the new 7 man-made wonders of the world.
2. Giant Hand Mano del Desierto – Atacama Desert, Chile
The Desert Hand is another name for the Mano del Desierto work in the middle of the Atacama desert, 75 km south of Antofagasta. This is a sculpture by Mario Irarrázabal, a Chilean artist. The purpose of this work is to remember the victims of murder and torture during the period of military dictatorship in Chile. The main materials used in this project are steel and cement with a height of 11 meters.
3. The Hand of Punta del Este – Brava Beach, Uruguay
The Hand of Punta del Este or Mano de Punta del Este, is another hand sculpture by Chilean artist Mario Irarrázabal, located in the popular resort town of Punta del Este, in Uruguay. This sculpture was first presented to the public in the summer of 1982. Since then, it has become the symbol of Punta del Este and one of Uruguay's most recognizable landmarks. Over the years, this sculpture has been called by various names such as Prisiendo a la Vida (The New Man in Life), Monumento los Dedos (Monument of Fingers) or Monumento al Ahogado (Statue of the Fingers) drowning station). Even so, the 'father' of Punta del Este prefers to call it simply ‘the hand'.
4. Giant Praying Hands – Tulsa, USA
These strong praying hands are erected at the entrance of Oral Roberts University campus, Tulsa, Oklahoma. Praying Hands is the largest bronze sculpture in the United States with a height of 18m and weight of 30 tons.
5. Giant Hand of Harmony – Homigot Beach, South Korea
The Hand of Harmony building located on Homigot beach is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Korea. This sculpture is made of bronze and granite built in 1999.
6. Giant Hand – Bandung, Indonesia
This giant steel hand sculpture is located at the Setraduta gate, an upper-class housing complex in northern Bandung, Indonesia. It is designed and made by Nyoman Nuarta, one of the most famous and excellent Indonesian sculptors today.
7. Holocaust Memorial Giant Hand – Miami, USA
At the Holocaust Memorial, in Miami, Florida, there is a 12-metre-tall sculpture of an outstretched arm, reaching into the sky as hundreds of tiny human figures cling to it. This is a great work designed by architect Kenneth Treister and attracts many tourists to visit each year.
8. Giant Hands & Molecule – Ramsgate, UK
This structure has a height of 4m rising from the ground located at Westcliff Promenade, Ramsgate, Kent, England. David Barnes is the designer and the pharmaceutical company Pfizer is the main sponsor. It was inaugurated in June 2000 to mark the opening of the National Cycle Network (Road 15) in Thanet, Kent.
