| 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 |
| Coordinates | 42°19′43″N 83°02′40″W / 42.328694°N 83.044544°W / 42.328694; -83.044544 |
| Owner | Detroit Institute of Arts |
| Website | https://www.dia.org/art/collection/object/monument-joe-louis-46291 |
The Monument to Joe Louis, known also as The Fist, is a memorial dedicated to boxer Joe Louis located at the intersection of Jefferson Avenue and Woodward Avenue in Detroit, near Hart Plaza.
History
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. The sculpture weighs 5000 pounds and the total weight including the framework is 8000 pounds.
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. Graham referred to the sculpture as a "battering ram". It is claimed to be an historical metaphor, even down to its placement (pointing toward Canada).
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". Graham responded that the piece was "working" if it aroused passion.
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.
In popular culture
In 2013, Detroit-based artist Jerry Vile placed a 4-ft. tall can of Crisco in front of the monument with a statement indicating it was for "helping to ease the pain of Detroit's bankruptcy." Many interpreted the can as a reference to fisting, a sex act in which Crisco is sometimes used as lubricant.
References
- 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.