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Monument to Joe Louis

Coordinates: 42°19′43″N 83°02′40″W / 42.328694°N 83.044544°W / 42.328694; -83.044544
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Monument to Joe Louis
The Fist
The sculpture in 2019
Map
ArtistRobert Graham (sculptor)
Year
  • 1986
TypeSculpture
Medium
  • Bronze
Dimensions7.3 m × 3.5 m × 7.3 m (24 ft × 11.5 ft × 24 ft)
Weight
  • 5000 lbs. fist alone
  • 8000 lbs. total including framework
LocationDetroit, Michigan, United States
Coordinates42°19′43″N 83°02′40″W / 42.328694°N 83.044544°W / 42.328694; -83.044544
OwnerDetroit Institute of Arts
Websitehttps://www.dia.org/art/collection/object/monument-joe-louis-46291

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]

History

[edit]
Showing title of piece

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]

[edit]

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

[edit]
  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ a b "Monument to Joe Louis | Detroit Institute of Arts Museum". dia.org. Retrieved 2022-10-22.
  3. ^ "Memorial to Joe Louis". detroit1701.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  4. ^ Lynch, Jim. "Detroit sculpture of Joe Louis' fist getting overhaul". The Detroit News. Retrieved 2022-07-08.
  5. ^ "Joe Louis Memorial – Robert Graham". Retrieved 2022-07-08.
  6. ^ "Fist of a Champion - Detroit's Monument to Joe Louis". 26 November 2007. Retrieved May 4, 2009.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ Riley, Rochelle (May 8, 2017). "How do we honor Joe Louis? Rename Cobo Center". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  10. ^ "Detroit's massive jar of Crisco up for sale on eBay". Michigan Public Media. 2013-08-08. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
  11. ^ Olshansky, Clara (2013-07-31). "Artist Gives Detroit Crisco, "To Ease the Pain"". Art F City. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
  12. ^ Broderick, Ryan (2013-07-31). "A Local News Station Posted A Fisting Joke On Their Facebook Page". BuzzFeed News. Retrieved 2024-01-25.
  13. ^ Barcelos, Chris A. (2023-05-04). "Adventures in fisting". Sex Education. 23 (3): 279–286. doi:10.1080/14681811.2022.2061441. ISSN 1468-1811.