The Monument to Joe Louis, known also as The Fist,[1] is a memorial dedicated to boxer Joe Louis located at the intersection of Jefferson Avenue and Woodward Avenue in Detroit, near Hart Plaza.[2]
Dedicated on October 16, 1986, the sculpture, commissioned by Sports Illustrated from the Mexican-American sculptor Robert Graham (1938–2008), and poured by the legendary bronze artist, Rolf Kriken, is a 24-foot-long (7.3m) arm with a fisted hand suspended by a 24-foot-high (7.3m) pyramidal framework.[3][2] The sculpture weighs 5000 pounds and the total weight including the framework is 8000 pounds.[4][5]
The inscription on the back of the arm reads:
MONUMENT TO JOE LOUIS BY ROBERT GRAHAM
A GIFT FROM SPORTS ILLUSTRATED TO THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF DETROIT. THE DETROIT INSTITUTE OF ARTS AND ITS FOUNDERS SOCIETY ON THE OCCASION OF THE MUSEUM'S CENTENNIAL. 1885-1985.
It represents the power of his punch both inside and outside the ring. Because of Louis' efforts to fight Jim Crow laws, the fist was symbolically intended as a statement against racism.[6] Graham referred to the sculpture as a "battering ram".[7] It is claimed to be an historical metaphor, even down to its placement (pointing toward Canada).[8]
The sculpture was vandalized by two white men in 2004, who covered it in white paint and left a sign which read, "Courtesy of Fighting Whities".[7] Graham responded that the piece was "working" if it aroused passion.[7]
The sculpture is one of two monuments in Detroit honoring Joe Louis. The other is a full-size statue of Louis located inside the Huntington Place convention center.[9]
In popular culture
In 2013, Detroit-based artist Jerry Vile placed a 4-ft. tall can of Crisco in front of the monument[10] with a statement indicating it was for "helping to ease the pain of Detroit's bankruptcy."[11] Many interpreted the can as a reference to fisting,[12] a sex act in which Crisco is sometimes used as lubricant.[13]
References
↑Colby, Joy Hakanson (10 July 2006). "Art 'hospitals' heal history: Conservators battle against time and abuse to fix and preserve precious artwork". Detroit News. p.E.1.
123Zaslow, Jeffrey (4 March 2004). "In Detroit, a Blow To 'The Fist' Touches A Sensitive Nerve; Controversial Sculpture Is Defaced With Paint; Vandals Deny Racism". Wall Street Journal. p.A.1.
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