Statue of Michael Jordan

Last updated

Statue of Michael Jordan
The Spirit, Michael Jordan's Spirit
2017 NHL Entry Draft (35346009152).jpg
The statue in the "atrium" in 2017)
Statue of Michael Jordan
Artist
Year1994 (1994)
Medium
Dimensions3.7 m(12 ft)
Location Chicago, Illinois, United States
Coordinates 41°52′51″N87°40′23″W / 41.88070°N 87.67307°W / 41.88070; -87.67307

The statue of Michael Jordan, also known as The Spirit (and sometimes referred to as Michael Jordan's Spirit), is a bronze sculpture by Omri Amrany and Julie Rotblatt-Amrany that has been located inside the United Center in the Near West Side community area of Chicago since March 1, 2017. The sculpture was originally commissioned after Jordan's initial retirement following three consecutive NBA championships and unveiled prior to the Bulls taking residence in their new home stadium the following year. Depicting Basketball Hall of Fame member Michael Jordan and unveiled outside the United Center on November 1, 1994, the 12-foot (3.7 m) sculpture stands atop a 5-foot (1.52 m) black granite base. Although not critically well received, the statue has established its own legacy as a meeting place for fans at subsequent Bulls championships and as a rallying point for Chicago Blackhawks fans.

Contents

History

Background

Michael Jordan had spent his entire career with the Chicago Bulls since being drafted in the 1984 NBA draft by the team with the third overall selection. Eventually, he led the Bulls to three consecutive championships in the 1991, 1992 and 1993 NBA Finals. During each of these championship seasons he was an NBA All-Star, NBA scoring champion, All-NBA Team first team selection, NBA All-Defensive Team first team selection, and the NBA Finals MVP. [1] [2]

After Jordan retired following the 1992–93 NBA season, Chicago Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf sought a sculptor to honor Jordan and requested that Chicago Bulls Vice President Steve Schanwald seek proposals from artists. [3] Twelve artists made proposals. [4] In January 1994, Schanwald hired Omri and Julie Rotblatt-Amrany of Highland Park, Illinois, who erected a statue at the Bulls' new home for the 1994–95 NBA season, the United Center. [3] Until 1994 when they both moved, the Bulls and Blackhawks had played at Chicago Stadium. [5] [6]

Creation and installation

Base of statue (right side) at the United Center chronicling Jordan's career achievements. Michael Jordan Achievements.jpg
Base of statue (right side) at the United Center chronicling Jordan's career achievements.

While the sculpture was a work in progress, the location of the sculptor's rented studio was kept secret from the rest of the world, while the husband-and-wife sculptor team and three assistants spent four months working for sixteen hours every day of the week. [7] The process involved two sittings with Jordan for measurements and photos, including one in which the clay version had to be driven from Chicago to Nashville, to ensure the accuracy of the clay likeness. [4] The 2,000-pound (910 kg) sculpture, which is 12 feet (3.7 m) tall, rests on a 5-foot high black granite base that has an inscription reading "The best there ever was. The best there ever will be." The base also includes a list of his accomplishments. The bronze statue used lost-wax casting. [3] The sculpture has led to a lot of similar work for the couple. [4]

The sculpture's official address is United Center, 1901 W. Madison Street. [8] Officially named The Spirit, [9] it is located inside the United Center (Gate 4). [10] The United Center opened on August 18, 1994. [10] The exact pose of Jordan in midflight is left for artistic interpretation, but speculations include his 63-point performance against Boston in the 1986 NBA Playoffs, the 1988 NBA All-Star Game slam-dunk contest at Chicago Stadium and his jumpman logo that has been on Jordan branded Nike products since the 1980s. [11] Jordan is depicted doing a right-handed slam dunk over two opponents while jumping right-to-left in the eastward facing statue giving him a southbound trajectory. [9] Prior to the beginning of each basketball season, the sculpture gets touched up. [12]

The sculpture was installed on October 31 [4] and unveiled on November 1, 1994, in front of a national audience by Jordan, Reinsdorf and Larry King. Jordan's jersey number was retired during the ceremony. [3] Only Jordan's knee is attached to the base via a triple-steel post. [3] [4] A stationary basketball hoop was almost part of the sculpture too. [4] The sculpture, which is hollow, was designed to withstand the natural elements. [4] After his second retirement following the 1997–98 NBA season, the following quote from the 1992 film A River Runs Through It was added to the base: "At that moment I knew, surely and clearly, that I was witnessing perfection. He stood before us, suspended above the earth, free from all its laws like a work of art, and I knew, just as surely and clearly, that life is not a work of art, and that the moment could not last." [3]

Relocation

In 2012 and 2014, various plans were floated for the parking lot east of the United Center. [13] [14] On January 22, 2015, the Bulls announced plans to move the statue to a planned atrium, while statues of Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita were to remain outside the United Center. [15] Construction commenced in mid-2015. [16] On March 1, 2017, there was a ceremonial celebration for the opening of the 190,000-square-foot (18,000 m2) United Center east addition. The statue can be found inside the atrium between the new addition and the original United Center, which is open daily from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM and later on event days. [17] [18]

Reception and legacy

Some complain that the sculpture does not depict Jordan's well-known open-mouthed tongue wag. [19] Chicago Tribune art critic Alan G. Artner says the inscription at the base that reads "The best there ever was. The best there ever will be." refers only to the subject and not the sculpture. [9] Following the Bulls' second three-peat after Jordan's return, the statue became a sports mecca for fans to gather and take photographs. [20] ESPN The Magazine listed the sculpture as one of the ten greatest sports photo opportunities in 1998. [21]

In 1994, 55 (originally planned for 123 pieces) 28-inch (71.1 cm) bronze maquettes of the sculpture on 6-inch (15.2 cm) granite bases were produced by the Rotblatt-Amranys and sold at $10,000 ($19,996 in 2023 dollars) [22] each as a fundraiser for the James Jordan Boys & Girls Club. [7] [23] The TNT 2-hour broadcast of the original ceremony had also been in part a fundraiser for the Boys & Girls Club, but some had thought it was overdone and ungraceful. [24] [25]

At times, the statue has been adorned with various Chicago Blackhawks player jerseys. When Denis Savard's jersey was retired on March 19, 1998, fans put his jersey on the statue, but it was removed one hour later. [26] During the 2010 Stanley Cup Finals, United Center personnel added an ice hockey helmet, a Reebok jersey of captain Jonathan Toews and Reebok ice skates to the statue. [27] [28] [29] Within 48 hours, the Reebok logos on the ice skates had been covered by Nike stickers. [30] When Chicagoan Barack Obama welcomed the Blackhawks to the White House as President of the United States, he made mention of the jersey being placed on the Jordan statue. [31] In May 2011, there was an announcement the Hockey Hall of Famers Stan Mikita and Bobby Hull would have statues placed outside of the United Center near Jordan's sometime early during the 2011–12 NHL season. [32]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Jordan</span> American basketball player (born 1963)

Michael Jeffrey Jordan, also known by his initials MJ, is an American businessman and former professional basketball player. He played 15 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) between 1984 and 2003, winning six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls. He was integral in popularizing basketball and the NBA around the world in the 1980s and 1990s, becoming a global cultural icon. His profile on the NBA website states, "By acclamation, Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chicago Bulls</span> National Basketball Association team in Chicago, Illinois

The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago. The Bulls compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference. The team was founded on January 16, 1966, and played its first game during the 1966–67 NBA season. The Bulls play their home games at the United Center, an arena on Chicago's West Side.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chicago Blackhawks</span> National Hockey League team in Chicago, Illinois

The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago. The Blackhawks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division in the Western Conference and have won six Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926. They are one of the "Original Six" NHL teams, along with the Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins, and New York Rangers. Since 1995, the team has played their home games at the United Center, which they share with the National Basketball Association's Chicago Bulls; both teams previously played at the now-demolished Chicago Stadium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scottie Pippen</span> American basketball player (born 1965)

Scotty Maurice Pippen Sr., usually spelled Scottie Pippen, is an American former professional basketball player. He played 17 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA), winning six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls. Considered one of the greatest small forwards of all time, Pippen played an important role in transforming the Bulls into a championship team and popularizing the NBA around the world during the 1990s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stan Mikita</span> Slovak ice hockey player (1940–2018)

Stanley Mikita was a Slovak-born Canadian ice hockey player for the Chicago Black Hawks of the National Hockey League, generally regarded as the best centre of the 1960s. In 2017, he was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players. In 1961, he became the first Slovak-born player to win the Stanley Cup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United Center</span> Indoor arena in Chicago, Illinois, U.S.

The United Center is an indoor arena on the Near West Side of Chicago, Illinois. It is home to the Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL). It is named for its corporate sponsor United Airlines. With a capacity of nearly 21,000, the United Center is the largest arena by capacity in the NBA, and second largest arena by capacity in the NHL. It also has a seating capacity of 23,500 for concerts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chicago Stadium</span> Former indoor arena in Chicago, Illinois, United States

The Chicago Stadium was an indoor arena in Chicago that opened in 1929, closed in 1994 and was demolished in 1995. When it was built, it was the largest indoor arena in the world with a maximum seating capacity of 26,000. It was the home of the National Hockey League's Chicago Blackhawks and the National Basketball Association's Chicago Bulls. It was used for numerous other sporting events, opening with a championship boxing match in March 1929. The Stadium was built by Paddy Harmon, a promoter, who sank his entire fortune into the project, only to lose control to the Stadium shareholders. After exiting receivership in 1935, the Stadium was owned by the Norris and Wirtz families until its closure in 1994. It was replaced by the United Center built across the street, also owned in part by the Wirtz family.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1992 NBA Finals</span> 1992 basketball championship series

The 1992 NBA Finals was the championship series of the National Basketball Association's (NBA) 1991–92 season, and the conclusion of the season's playoffs. The defending NBA champion and Eastern Conference champion Chicago Bulls took on the Western Conference champion Portland Trail Blazers for the title, with Chicago having home court advantage, as they had the best record in the NBA that season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jonathan Toews</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1988)

Jonathan Bryan Toews is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who is an unrestricted free agent. Toews most recently played for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL), where he served as the team's captain between 2008 and 2023. Nicknamed "Captain Serious", Toews was selected by the Blackhawks with the third overall pick in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. He joined the team in 2007–08 and was nominated for the Calder Memorial Trophy as NHL Rookie of the Year. The following season he was named team captain, becoming the second-youngest captain in NHL history at the time. Toews won the Stanley Cup in 2010, along with the Conn Smythe Trophy for the most valuable player in the playoffs. After winning the Cup, Toews passed Peter Forsberg as the youngest player to join the Triple Gold Club. He won the Stanley Cup again in 2013 and 2015.

The 1995–96 NBA season was the Bulls' 30th season in the National Basketball Association. During the off-season, the Bulls acquired controversial All-Star forward and rebound specialist Dennis Rodman from the San Antonio Spurs, and signed free agents Randy Brown and James Edwards. At midseason, the team signed John Salley, who was previously released by the expansion Toronto Raptors; Rodman, Edwards and Salley were all teammates on the Detroit Pistons during the "Bad Boy" era, where they won two straight championships in 1989 and 1990. The Bulls had the best team offensive rating and the best team defensive rating in the NBA.

The 1991–92 NBA season was the Bulls' 26th season in the National Basketball Association. The Bulls entered the season as defending NBA champions, having defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1991 NBA Finals in five games, and winning their first NBA championship in franchise history. The 1991-92 Bulls team are widely regarded as one of the greatest teams of all time. Early into the season, the Bulls traded Dennis Hopson to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Bob Hansen after the first two games. Coming off their first ever championship, the Bulls had a very successful season winning 14 consecutive games after a 1–2 start to the season. They later on posted a 13-game winning streak in January, which led them to a 37–5 start, and held a 39–9 record at the All-Star break. The Bulls finished in first place in the Central Division, along with having the best record in the league at 67–15.

The 1994–95 NBA season was the Bulls' 29th season in the National Basketball Association. This was also the team's first season playing at the United Center. During the off-season, the Bulls signed free agents Ron Harper, and Jud Buechler. The Bulls struggled in the first half of the season with a 23–25 record at the All-Star break. However, there were rumors that retired All-Star guard Michael Jordan would come out of his retirement to rejoin the team, after an unsuccessful baseball career. The Bulls received a major boost upon Jordan's return, as he faxed a memo that simply said "I'm back." The Bulls won 24 of their final 34 games, and finished the season with a 47–35 record, going 13–4 with Jordan back in the lineup. The Bulls finished third in the Central Division and fifth in the Eastern Conference.

Julie Rotblatt-Amrany is an American sculptor and painter, whose work explores the resurgence of the figure in modern art.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gary Tillery</span> American writer and artist (born 1947)

Gary Tillery is an American writer and artist known for his biographies focusing on the spiritual lives of famous figures, and for his public sculptures. His 2009 book, The Cynical Idealist, was named the official book of the 2010 John Lennon Tribute in New York City, and he created the centerpiece sculpture of the Chicago Vietnam Veterans Memorial, dedicated in 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Statue of Jerry West</span> Sculpture in Los Angeles, California, U.S.

A bronze statue of Jerry West by Omri Amrany and Julie Rotblatt Amrany is installed outside Los Angeles' Crypto.com Arena, in the U.S. state of California. The sculpture was unveiled in 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Statue of Chick Hearn</span> Sculptures in Los Angeles, California, U.S.

A statue of sportscaster Chick Hearn by Julie Rotblatt Amrany and Omri Amrany is installed outside Los Angeles' Crypto.com Arena, in the U.S. state of California. The bronze and steel sculpture was unveiled in 2010. An empty chair is provided next to the statue to allow people to sit in for a picture taking.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Los Angeles Kings Monument</span> Monument in Los Angeles, California, U.S.

The Los Angeles Kings Monument is a monument by artists Itamar Amrany, Julie Rotblatt Amrany, and Omri Amrany, installed outside Los Angeles' Crypto.com Arena, in the U.S. state of California. It is located near the Statue of Kobe and Gianna Bryant.

<i>Statue of Kobe and Gianna Bryant</i> Sculpture in Los Angeles, California, U.S.

The Kobe and Gianna Bryant Memorial Statue is a work of public art designed by American visual artist Karon Davis and created by the Fine Art Studio of Rotblatt-Amrany. The bronze sculpture of the American basketball player Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna Bryant was commissioned by Vanessa Bryant, the wife of Kobe and mother of Gianna. It stands on a base located near Crypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles. The statue was unveiled in 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Statue of Ryne Sandberg</span> Outdoor sculpture in Chicago, Illinois, U.S.

The Ryne "Ryno" Sandberg Statue is a work of public art by American sculptor Lou Cella and the Fine Art Studio of Rotblatt-Amrany, depicting American baseball Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg in his Chicago Cubs uniform. The bronze sculpture is located in the U.S. state of Illinois, at Gallagher Way, a park outside of Wrigley Field, Chicago.

References

  1. ↑ "Michael Jordan – 23". NBA.com . Archived from the original on February 6, 2008. Retrieved September 18, 2011.
  2. ↑ "Full Name: Michael Jeffrey Jordan". NBA Encyclopedia Playoff Edition. NBA.com. Archived from the original on July 7, 2006. Retrieved September 18, 2011.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Michael Jordan Statue". United Center . Retrieved September 3, 2011.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Fluck, Adam. "The story behind Michael Jordan's Spirit". NBA.com . Retrieved September 3, 2011.
  5. ↑ Greene, Daniel (2005). "United Center". Encyclopedia of Chicago . Chicago Historical Society/Newberry Library . Retrieved September 18, 2011.
  6. ↑ Hayner, Donald A. (2005). "Chicago Stadium". Encyclopedia of Chicago . Chicago Historical Society/Newberry Library . Retrieved September 18, 2011.
  7. 1 2 Revsine, Barbara (November 27, 1994). "High-flying Sculptors: Meet The Couple Who Immortalized Michael Jordan In Bronze". Chicago Tribune . Retrieved September 3, 2011.
  8. ↑ Thorn Clark, Sandy (July 12, 2011). "Share the wealth: Help tourists find Chicago's offerings". Chicago Sun-Times . Retrieved September 3, 2011.
  9. 1 2 3 Artner, Alan G. (November 2, 1994). "Jordan Truly Larger Than Life: Sculpture Shows Spirit Of The Man, But Little More". Chicago Tribune . Retrieved September 3, 2011.
  10. 1 2 Johnson, K. C. (September 10, 2009). "Chapter 10: Chicago". Chicago Tribune . Retrieved September 3, 2011.
  11. ↑ Armour, Terry (December 9, 1994). "Sculptors Clear The Air On Pose Of Jordan Statue". Chicago Tribune . Retrieved September 3, 2011.
  12. ↑ Kuc, Chris (October 7, 2009). "Blackhawks' Bolland, Eager out Thursday at Red Wings". Chicago Tribune . Archived from the original on January 19, 2012. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
  13. ↑ Maidenberg, Micah (April 28, 2012). "United Center plans retail space: Restaurants and bars would replace parking lot east of the arena". Crain's Chicago Business . Retrieved November 28, 2018.
  14. ↑ Maidenberg, Micah (October 1, 2014). "Blackhawks, Bulls owners mull office project next to United Center". Crain's Chicago Business . Retrieved November 28, 2018.
  15. ↑ Lulay, Stephanie (January 22, 2015). "Jordan Statue Moving Inside New United Center Building". DNA info. Archived from the original on November 28, 2018. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
  16. ↑ Koziarz, Jay (March 23, 2016). "Work Continues on 190,000-Square-Foot United Center Addition". Curbed.com . Retrieved November 28, 2018.
  17. ↑ Kuc, Chris (March 1, 2017). "Michael Jordan statue centerpiece of United Center's East addition". Chicago Tribune . Retrieved November 28, 2018.
  18. ↑ Ecker, Danny (March 1, 2017). "Photos: Inside United Center's new east addition". Crain's Chicago Business . Retrieved November 28, 2018.
  19. ↑ Rhodes, Steve (November 7, 1994). "Even In Bronze, Jordan Spirit Is A Real Magnet". Chicago Tribune . Retrieved September 3, 2011.
  20. ↑ Araton, Harvey (June 4, 1998). "Sports of The Times; Sensing Something Special, a Celebration Is Delayed". The New York Times . Retrieved September 3, 2011.
  21. ↑ Norwood, Robyn (August 7, 1998). "Shaq's Touch Better Online Than at Line". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved September 3, 2011.
  22. ↑ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–" . Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  23. ↑ Armour, Terry (May 2, 1995). "Michael On A Mantel? For 10 Grand, He's Yours". Chicago Tribune . Retrieved September 3, 2011.
  24. ↑ "Bye-bye, No. 23: Buzz went to see Michael Jordan's Chicago..." Chicago Tribune . November 8, 1994. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
  25. ↑ Smith, Sam (November 2, 1994). "Jordan Recalled: Extremely Human, Hugely Gifted". Chicago Tribune . Retrieved September 3, 2011.
  26. ↑ Mitchell, Fred (May 20, 1998). "Bulls Enforce Dress Code On Jordan Statue". Chicago Tribune . Retrieved September 3, 2011.
  27. ↑ Perez, A. J. (May 28, 2010). "The Michael Jordan Statue, Toews-ered". AOL News . Archived from the original on October 8, 2012. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
  28. ↑ Weir, Tom (May 28, 2010). "Michael Jordan statue now looks like "Ice Jordan"". USA Today . Retrieved September 3, 2011.
  29. ↑ "Air Toews". NBC Chicago. May 29, 2010. Retrieved September 3, 2001.
  30. ↑ Kerby, Trey (June 2, 2010). "Even Michael Jordan's statue is a company man". Yahoo! Sports . Retrieved September 3, 2011.
  31. ↑ Jahns, Adam L. (March 11, 2011). "Transcript: Pres. Obama honors the Blackhawks at White House". Chicago Sun-Times . Archived from the original on September 28, 2011. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
  32. ↑ "Mikita, Hull to get statues outside UC". Chicago Sun-Times . January 9, 2011. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.