The Torch of Mates: An 65-Foot Abstract Buddy-Statue in Tex-Town

Lemme tell ya 'bout La Antorcha de la Amistad - y'know, 'The Torch of Friendship'. Sculpted by Mexican artist, Sebastián, it's one giant abstract piece, planted downtown in San Antonio, Texas. The sculpture was a present from the Mexican government to the city in 2002. On June 27th of that very year, the artist, Mayor Edward D. Garza, and Mexico's Secretary of Foreign Affairs Jorge Castañeda Gutman, unveiled it for all to see. Standing at nearly 65 feet (20 meters) tall and packing a punch with more than 45 tons (40,800 kilograms), La Antorcha de la Amistad is made of enameled iron.

It's smack-dab in the middle of a traffic rotary, constantly lit with different colors and patterns, changing with the seasons. The two abstract columns in the sculpture represent two countries or two cultures, and while there was some question about its spot in Downtown San Antonio, it's been received warmly and serves as a symbol of cooperation between Mexico and the United States.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata