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]
| Monument to Joe Louis | |
|---|---|
| The Fist | |
 The sculpture in 2019 | |
 | |
| Artist | Robert Graham (sculptor) |
| Year |
|
| Type | Sculpture |
| Medium |
|
| Dimensions | 7.3 m × 3.5 m × 7.3 m (24 ft × 11.5 ft × 24 ft) |
| Weight |
|
| Location | Detroit, Michigan, United States |
| 42°19′43″N 83°02′40″W / 42.328694°N 83.044544°W | |
| Owner | Detroit Institute of Arts |
| Website | https://www.dia.org/art/collection/object/monument-joe-louis-46291 |
History
edit
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 (7.3 m) arm with a fisted hand suspended by a 24-foot-high (7.3 m) 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
editIn 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
edit- ^ 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.
- ^ a b "Monument to Joe Louis | Detroit Institute of Arts Museum". dia.org. Retrieved 2022-10-22.
- ^ "Memorial to Joe Louis". detroit1701.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
- ^ Lynch, Jim. "Detroit sculpture of Joe Louis' fist getting overhaul". The Detroit News. Retrieved 2022-07-08.
- ^ "Joe Louis Memorial – Robert Graham". Retrieved 2022-07-08.
- ^ "Fist of a Champion - Detroit's Monument to Joe Louis". 26 November 2007. Retrieved May 4, 2009.
- ^ a b c 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". Wall Street Journal. p. A.1.
- ^ Daily Detroit Staff (July 10, 2015). "The Real Story Behind Detroit's Giant Joe Louis Fist". Daily Detroit. Retrieved May 8, 2017. originally appeared in Detroit Unspun.
- ^ Riley, Rochelle (May 8, 2017). "How do we honor Joe Louis? Rename Cobo Center". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
- ^ "Detroit's massive jar of Crisco up for sale on eBay". Michigan Public Media. 2013-08-08. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
- ^ Olshansky, Clara (2013-07-31). "Artist Gives Detroit Crisco, "To Ease the Pain"". Art F City. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
- ^ Broderick, Ryan (2013-07-31). "A Local News Station Posted A Fisting Joke On Their Facebook Page". BuzzFeed News. Retrieved 2024-01-25.
- ^ Barcelos, Chris A. (2023-05-04). "Adventures in fisting". Sex Education. 23 (3): 279–286. doi:10.1080/14681811.2022.2061441. ISSN 1468-1811.