“Candy Nation,” 20 Oversized Candy Sculptures Take Over the Garment District

French sculptor Laurence Jenkell‘s Candy Nation, a series of oversized candies with the flags of different countries, was first created for the G20 Summit in Cannes, France in 2011. Now, to celebrate New York City as a world city and global capital,

The 9-foot tall sculptures each weigh 1,450 pounds, wrapped in polyester resin using a technique Jenkell perfected as a self-taught artist. The countries in the parade of candy are the United States, European Union (plus member countries Germany, France, Italy), Great Britain, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Australia, South Korea, Japan, China, Argentina, India, Russia, Turkey, China, South Africa, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia.

Candy Nations is part of the Garment District Alliance’s 15th Annual Arts Festival that runs from October 18th to 20th, which will include performances, additional art installations, events, and more. The first-ever winners of a new global art competition, Art Elevated, run by the Garment District Alliance will also be displayed.

“No city in the world matches New York City’s power as an international magnet for culture, creativity, design and the arts,” said Barbara A. Blair, president of the Garment District Alliance at the press opening “Through her remarkable exhibit, Laurence Jenkell leverages both simple and universal imagery to remind New Yorkers of our global character, right at a moment when such reminders are so timely and valuable.”

Here are more photos of Candy Nations:

Laurence Jenkell’s work can also be seen in the Port Authority. Next, check out the Top 10 Secrets of Herald Square.