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251:(1938–2008), and poured by the legendary bronze artist, Rolf Kriken, is a 24-foot-long (7.3 m) arm with a fisted hand suspended by a 24-foot-high (7.3 m) pyramidal framework. The sculpture weighs 5000 pounds and the total weight including the framework is 8000 pounds.
288:, the fist was symbolically intended as a statement against racism. Graham referred to the sculpture as a "battering ram". It is claimed to be an historical metaphor, even down to its placement (pointing toward Canada).
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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". Graham responded that the piece was "working" if it aroused passion.
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Zaslow, Jeffrey (4 March 2004). "In
Detroit, a Blow To 'The Fist' Touches A Sensitive Nerve; Controversial Sculpture Is Defaced With Paint; Vandals Deny Racism".
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Colby, Joy
Hakanson (10 July 2006). "Art 'hospitals' heal history: Conservators battle against time and abuse to fix and preserve precious artwork".
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The sculpture is one of two monuments in
Detroit honoring Joe Louis. The other is a full-size statue of Louis located inside the
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7.3 m × 3.5 m × 7.3 m (24 ft × 11.5 ft × 24 ft)
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It represents the power of his punch both inside and outside the ring. Because of Louis' efforts to fight
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in front of the monument with a statement indicating it was for "helping to ease the pain of
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located at the intersection of
Jefferson Avenue and Woodward Avenue in
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In 2013, Detroit-based artist Jerry Vile placed a 4-ft. tall can of
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https://www.dia.org/art/collection/object/monument-joe-louis-46291
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Dedicated on
October 16, 1986, the sculpture, commissioned by
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357:"Monument to Joe Louis | Detroit Institute of Arts Museum"
404:"Detroit sculpture of Joe Louis' fist getting overhaul"
493:"The Real Story Behind Detroit's Giant Joe Louis Fist"
448:"Fist of a Champion - Detroit's Monument to Joe Louis"
549:"Detroit's massive jar of Crisco up for sale on eBay"
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577:"Artist Gives Detroit Crisco, "To Ease the Pain""
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524:"How do we honor Joe Louis? Rename Cobo Center"
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428:"Joe Louis Memorial – Robert Graham"
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274:DETROIT. THE DETROIT INSTITUTE OF
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164:42.328694°N 83.044544°W
280:CENTENNIAL. 1885-1985.
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204:Monument to Joe Louis
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22:Monument to Joe Louis
313:Detroit's bankruptcy
110:5000 lbs. fist alone
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141:Coordinates
669:Categories
613:2024-01-25
586:2024-01-02
581:Art F City
561:2024-01-02
433:2022-07-08
413:2022-07-08
366:2022-10-22
323:References
223:Hart Plaza
155:83°02′40″W
152:42°19′43″N
96:Dimensions
655:1468-1811
262:JOE LOUIS
215:Joe Louis
77:Sculpture
258:MONUMENT
210:The Fist
129:Michigan
121:Location
28:The Fist
361:dia.org
317:fisting
229:History
221:, near
219:Detroit
190:Website
125:Detroit
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502:May 8,
454:May 4,
387:May 8,
309:Crisco
104:Weight
88:Bronze
82:Medium
50:Artist
180:Owner
651:ISSN
535:2023
504:2017
456:2009
389:2017
201:The
74:Type
66:1986
60:Year
643:doi
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Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.