Tag Archives: Self Made Man

Miscellaneous

Controversial New Martin Luther King, Jr. National Monument Opens to the Public

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Story from ZYDO.Com
By Kyle Chayka
Published: August 23, 2011

MLK Memorial Monument
MLK Memorial Monument

Meet Lei Yixin, the Chinese Artist Behind D.C.’s New Martin Luther King Monument

Even before its grand public opening on the National Mall, the new Martin Luther King Jr. monument in Washington, D.C., has attracted controversy not only for its imagery, but also for its creator: a Chinese master sculptor named Lei Yixin, who worked with a team of craftsman in Hunan province to carve the 30-foot-tall work. Some critics have said that, given his nationality, Lei is an unorthodox choice for a monument memorializing an African-American hero.

Inspired by a line from King’s iconic “I Have a Dream” speech, the “Stone of Hope” sculpture depicts the civil rights leader emerging from a block of white granite. Standing stiffly to attention with arms crossed and a serious expression on his face, King is depicted as stern and authoritative. The statue oddly seems to evoke Social Realist monuments — an impression heightened by its monolithic composition, with King standing as part of the rock face. Photographs show the memorial already easing into its place on the Mall alongside such company as the Washington Monument (both of which sites were closed due to today’s brief earthquake).

Attending an art university directly after the ravages of the Cultural Revolution, Lei Yixin graduated in 1982 and went on to work as a draftsman, and was later encouraged by a government official to move into designing public sculpture. Lei has created over 150 monuments, including statues of Mao Zedong. But it was the artist’s 2006 “Contemplation” sculpture that caught the eye of Ed Jackson, the executive architect of the Martin Luther King Foundation, who named Lei the head sculptor for the “Stone of Hope” monument in 2007.

Jackson’s choice was immediately controversial. African-American sculptor Ed Dwight was quoted by the Washington Post at the time as arguing that because Lei is not black, “he doesn’t know how black people walk, how they stand, how their shoulders slope.” In May 2008, the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts called the artist’s design “too confrontational,” and recommended that the monument be rethought. more from XYDO.Com

This is a virtual tour of the monument, from BuildTheDream’s YouTube Channel
We were a bit surprised that the music behind this video is mainstream white-bread. Say what, NO GANGSTA RAP. No one wants to defile MLKs Virtual Memorial?

The MLK statue reminded me of one of my favorite sculptures, from Loveland, Colorado’s Bobby Carlyle. Click on the photo for more information.

Self Made Man by Bobby Carlyle
Self Made Man by Bobby Carlyle

WIKI page on Lei Yixin
Aforementioned sculptor, Denver’s Ed Dwight’s Official Website
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Colorado Information

Self Made Man – Sculpture by Bobbie Carlyle

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[Previously posted one week ago.]

Self Made Man
Self Made Man by Bobbie Carlyle

Self Made Man – Photo is from Bobbie Carlyle’s website

“Bobbie Carlyle’s vision of Self Made Man is a man carving himself out of stone, carving his character, carving his future.”

Walking through Denver’s Writer Square some time back I was stopped dead by an iconic (I thought) sculpture of a male figure’s self-emergence from a block of bronze. The block of bronze was cast to resemble a block of stone; the figure is wielding a hammer and chisel. The obvious conclusion, derived from the title, is that the man is in the process of self-creation.

Maybe another way to look at this sculpture is that it is a metaphor for man freeing himself from something. In a very Zen way, maybe it’s a metaphor for a man liberating himself from the physical entrapment of the earthbound body – the spirit/soul trying to leave the body, although the body is doing the leaving. I said metaphor, that leaves a bunch of room for creative license. Another name (my term) for the piece of sculpture might be “I Shall Soon Be Free.” Maybe it’s (profoundly) simply a metaphor for life’s difficult journey.

Well so far I’ve been stumbling around trying to explain a great piece of sculpture with words. I have failed miserably, but the artist has succeded in saying it without words, oh yea, there’s the title. No title is necessary for this monumental bronze.

I was thinking that “I know that I know that piece but I just can’t seem to place it.” I erroneously thought that the sculpture was a classic bronze sculpture, probably Greek or Italian, maybe even a piece by someone like Michelangelo. I went into the nearby Knox Gallery to inquire.

Whoa, I was told that it’s a contemporary work. “She began the first rendition [a 37″ bronze] of the work in Colorado in 1987.” So, it’s not really an iconic sculpture, but maybe something that looks like a famous icon will be someday, or should be. Without a doubt Self Made Man is my favorite piece of sculpture, in Denver, at the present time. It is so very cool. Is this the very essence of sculpture?

“The essence of the sculpture of BOBBIE CARLYLE is captured in the words bold strength and provocative intelligence. She has established her prominence in the sculpture world during the past two decades. Her sculptures in bronze and stone are all executed with imagination and vitality, in subjects ranging from wildlife to western to figurative. Ms. Carlyle has created some of the most compelling figurative work in the art world today, work that causes the viewer to look into themselves with the several layers of meaning. Indeed, it is work that carries a strong psychological appeal; dealing with the full spectrum, complexity of emotion, struggles and triumphs of life. She has studied under many of the notable artists of today and also takes influence from Solon and Gutzon Borglum, Rodin, Daniel Chester French and Michaelangelo. Further, her own life struggles with its hard-won insights, and her seven children have been inspiration to many of her works.”

“Ms. Carlyle received her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. She has taught numerous workshops which include teaching at the Colorado Institute of Art.”

“Her works are displayed internationally in numerous public and private collections in reliefs, smaller works, life size fountains and monuments. Currently she is working with architects, landscape architects, land developers and art representatives on numerous installations, commissioned pieces and fountains.”

“Bobbie Carlyle has created some of the most compelling figurative work in the art world today, work that causes the viewer to look into themselves with multiple layers of meaning. Indeed, it is work that carries a strong psychological appeal: dealing with the full spectrum, complexity of emotion, struggles and triumphs of life.”

“Bobbie Carlyle’s vision of Self Made Man is a man carving himself out of stone, carving his character, carving his future.”

Article was copied verbatim from MS Carlyle’s website: www.bobbiecarlylesculpture.com/

Artwork – from posters ($55.00) to 14-foot, $135,000 bronze sculptures – can be purchased from the artist’s website or from Knox Gallery. Smaller bronzes are also available.

Thanks TL for your informative email. [Private post]
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