Fantasy Statues for Fantasy Kingdoms

Partners is a 1993 copper statue by Blaine Gibson depicting Walt Disney holding the hand of the most popular character he created, Mickey Mouse. The statue is 6’ 5”, seven inches taller than Disney himself. It is the central point of attention as people walk past it to enter a few of the Disney parks. Gibson said, “I chose to depict Walt as he was in 1954. I think that was when Walt was in his prime. It was tough trying to match the media image of Walt Disney, the one the public knows, to the real Walt, the one we knew. I think Walt is admiring the park and saying to Mickey, ‘Look what we’ve accomplished together,’ because truly they were very much a team through it all. ‘Look at all the happy people who have come to visit us today.

Partners - Walt Disney with his creation Mickey Mouse

The central feature of the Mansu Hill Grand Monument consists of two 20-meter (66-foot) tall bronze statues of deceased supreme North Korean leaders Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il. Originally dedicated in April 1972 in honor of Kim Il Sung's 60th birthday. At the time, the monument featured only Kim Il-sung. The statue was originally covered in gold leaf, but was later altered to bronze. Following Kim Jong-il's death in 2011, a similar statue of him was added. At the same time, Kim Il-sung's statue was altered to portray him at a later age and smiling. Kim Jong-il was also initially featured in a long coat but it was promptly changed to his signature parka. South Korean sources have estimated the cost of the additional statue at $10 million, with North Korean workers working overseas being ordered to donate $150 each towards the monument. The monument depicts a country created by a father and son.

Mansu Hill Grand Monument - Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il