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 Michigan Labor Legacy Landmark - Detroit, Michigan Posted by:  Rattrak
N 42° 19.686 W 083° 02.682
17T E 331532 N 4688230
Michigan Labor Legacy Landmark can be found in Hart Plaza which is at the foot of M-1/Woodward Avenue on Jefferson Avenue.
Waymark Code: WM82ZD
Location: Michigan, United States
Date Posted: 01/18/2010
Views: 16
This is quit a spectacular landmark in downtown Detroit. This sculpture is also surrounded by a spiral walkway named Transcending. The image gallery will show many of the Vermont boulders that are along this walkway that add to the greatness of this sculpture.
SIRIS description and remarks are as follows;
The sculpture features a large stainless steel broken arc, completed by a blue light, which symbolizes the continuing struggle of the labor movement. Beneath the arc there is a circular foundation on which rest five Vermont boulders and fourteen bronze reliefs with themes such as "The Constructors," "The Builders," and "The Assemblers." There are a dozen paving stones commemorating labor achievements such as ending child labor and providing paid pensions and health care.
The monument memorializes the significant role that the people of the state of Michigan have played throughout labor history. It was coordinated by the Michigan Labor History Society as part of the Detroit 300 Tricentennial celebration in 2001. Union workers from various trade unions assisted in the building of the monument. The sponsoring committee raised 1.5 million dollars from almost 1,500 individuals, along with donations from local and international trade unions. A grant of $21,000 was awarded by the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. David Barr created the broken arc and stones, and Sergio DeGiusti created the bronze reliefs.
The only inscription is on arc, western side and eastern side: David Barr signed.
TITLE: Michigan Labor Legacy Landmark
ARTIST(S): David John Barr, sculptor. Sergio DeGiusti, sculptor.
DATE: Dedicated Aug. 20, 2003
MEDIUM: Bronze, Vermont boulders, concrete, stainless steel, and light.
CONTROL NUMBER: IAS 78000024
Direct Link to the Individual Listing in the Smithsonian Art Inventory: [Web Link]
PHYSICAL LOCATION:
On Jefferson Avenue, in Hart Plaza, where M-1/Woodward Avenue meets Jefferson.
DIFFERENCES NOTED BETWEEN THE INVENTORY LISTING AND YOUR OBSERVATIONS AND RESEARCH:
All is as described except for one line which reads; "Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his "I Have a Dream" speech near this site on June 13, 1963, and Dr. King's quote "The arc of history bends toward justice" is engraved near the arc." I have found reference to this but no proof.
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Visit Instructions:
Please give the date of your visit, your impressions of the sculpture, and at least ONE ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPH. Add any additional information you may have, particularly any personal observations about the condition of the sculpture.
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