Trivia: America’s Heart by Yakov Smirnoff

Posted by Alex in Arts & Crafts, Daily Trivia on May 19, 2008 at 2:50 am


Comedian Yakov Smirnoff painted the mural "America’s Heart" on the World Trade Center’s ground zero.

Smirnoff was an art teacher in Odessa before he came to the United States and became known as a comedian. After 9/11, Smirnoff painted "America’s Heart," a pointillist-style artwork with one brush-stroke for each victims of the attack. A giant mural of his painting was displayed on a damaged skyscraper overlooking the World Trade Center ground zero. (Source)




Previous post
this post? Please email this            
Next post
FROM THE NEATORAMA ONLINE STORE » more



COMMENT

5 comments to "Trivia: America’s Heart by Yakov Smirnoff"

  1. Shay
    May 19th, 2008 at 4:43 am

    Thinking of a clever “In Russia, the X Ys you” type of joke but that would be cheap.

    Didn’t know he was a painter. Why haven’t I come across this interesting bit of old news before?

  2. Aerek
    May 19th, 2008 at 9:19 am

    Is it best to do the joke now so the thread can continue for real? I suppose: In Soviet Russia Ground Zero paints you.

  3. Snappy
    May 19th, 2008 at 2:43 pm

    Well, I’m not surprised that you guys beat me to it. However, did Smirnoff say ‘Soviet Russia’ or just ‘Russia?’ Now, there might have been a period between the end of the Soviet Union, and the point in time when OK, you just can’t do those jokes anymore; no more CCCP (You don’t know how lucky you are, boys), sorry–when he said ‘Soviet Russia’ in an effort to keep the spiel alive. Of course, back in the day, when there was no Russia proper, we still colloquially referred to the Soviet Union as ‘Russia’ & worried about mine gaps & fighting in the War Room & so on (just a note). So what was the famous joke as Smirnov delivered it, “Russia,” “Soviet Russia,” or “Soviet Union?” In any event, “In Soviet Union, giant heart paints you!’ Pfft! : )

  4. Alex
    May 19th, 2008 at 3:06 pm

    Smirnoff did say “in Soviet Russia” and for those who want to know more, it’s a type of antimetabole

  5. Snappy
    May 19th, 2008 at 9:50 pm

    Thanks!


PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT

Neatorama Comment Policy
You don't have to register or login to comment, but it's easier if you do so. Comments aren't censored, but those that are abusive or off-topic may be edited or deleted.


Stay updated on the comments with Comment RSS