The Freedom Sculpture or Freedom: A Shared Dream, is a 20,400 lb (9,300 kg) stainless steel, gold, and silver public art sculpture in Century City, Los Angeles, California, by artist and architect Cecil Balmond.[1] Balmond applied both titles to this sculpture, inspired by the 2,500 year old Cyrus Cylinder considered by some to have been an early written declaration of human rights[1] by Cyrus the Great, King of ancient Iran, who was viewed as granting individual and religious freedoms to all those within his vast and culturally diverse empire.[2][3]
| The Freedom Sculpture | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Artist | Cecil Balmond |
| Year | July 4, 2017 |
| Medium | Stainless Steel |
| Subject | Human rights, Freedom of religion, Multiculturalism, Inclusiveness |
| Dimensions | 4.6 by 6.1 by 2.75 meters (15.1 ft × 20.0 ft × 9.0 ft) |
| Weight | 9,253 kg |
| Location | Century City, Los Angeles, California. |
| 34°03′47″N 118°24′56″W / 34.06305°N 118.41569°W | |
Design and construction
editThe sculpture was commissioned by the Farhang Foundation, and Balmond's design was selected among over 300 worldwide entries. The double-cylinder sculpture is made of two water jet-cut stainless steel double cylinders (gold interior cylinder, silver exterior cylinder), supported by two 15-foot diameter stainless steel half-rings. The sculpture sits on a travertine stone platform and includes lighting.[4]
Donation and unveiling
editThe sculpture was officially donated to the city of Los Angeles and unveiled on July 4, 2017 with a crowd of over 75,000 attendees.[5][6][7] At the unveiling ceremony, a proclamation of support by California Governor Jerry Brown was read.[8] Also, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti sent a video message [9] and Fifth District Councilman Paul Koretz presented a certificate of appreciation to the Farhang Foundation and the Iranian-American community.[10]
The sculpture is located on Santa Monica Boulevard on a street median at Century City, Los Angeles, California.
Funding and support
editThe Freedom Sculpture generated significant support on social media, with over 1.1 million fans supporting its creation with over $2.2 million.[3] While crowd-funding played a significant role in raising money for The Freedom Sculpture, a relatively small group of people, comprising the Freedom Sculpture Founders Circle, contributed over 50% of the funds raised. [11]
See also
edit- Cyrus Cylinder
- Statue of Liberty (Liberty Enlightening the World)
- Iranian Americans
- Statue of Freedom, 1863 statue atop the U.S. Capitol dome, Washington, D.C.
- Goddess of Liberty, an 1888 statue by Elijah E. Myers atop the Texas State Capitol dome, in Austin, Texas
- Miss Freedom, 1889 statue on the dome of the Georgia State Capitol (US)
- Freedom, 1985 statue by Alfred Tibor in Columbus, Ohio
References
edit- ^ a b Vankin, Deborah (15 January 2016). "Q&A: Cecil Balmond on his sculpture for Santa Monica Boulevard and why it honors a Persian emperor". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
- ^ "Century City Freedom Sculpture unveiled on Santa Monica Boulevard median". LA Curbed. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
- ^ a b Hamilton, Matt (July 4, 2017). "'Los Angeles embodies diversity.' The city's new sculpture celebrating freedom is unveiled". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
- ^ "Freedom Sculpture". Retrieved 16 November 2020.
- ^ "Freedom Sculpture unveiled in LA". Abc7.com. July 4, 2017. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
- ^ "LA Freedom Sculpture To Be Unveiled Tuesday". Losangeles.cbslocal.com. July 4, 2017. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
- ^ "LA Freedom Sculpture to Be Unveiled at Fourth of July Party". Associated Press. Archived from the original on July 5, 2017. Retrieved July 10, 2017 – via US News.
- ^ "Freedom Sculpture" (PDF). Freedomsculpture.org. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
- ^ Mehrfar, K. E. "O.C. Iranian Americans attend dedication of Freedom Sculpture". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
- ^ "Certificate of Appreciation" (PDF). Freedomsculpture.org. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
- ^ "Freedom Sculpture Donors' Wall". Wall.freedomsculpture.org. Retrieved January 24, 2018.