A Closer Look at the Monumental 30′ Tall MLK Statue – Washington D.C.

Entry #625, August 21, 2011

Every so often on Stagetecture, I like to take a break from the home related posts and highlight important architecture, artisans, and acts of man-kind that are inevitably shaping our history. Today, I am taking a closer look at the sculpture – the 30′ tall Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. statue that will be showcased at the MLK Jr., National Memorial in Washington D.C. on August 28th – the anniversary of his famous ‘I Have a Dream’ speech.

MLK Statue – Artist Rendering

Image courtesy of About.com

Located on the Tidal Basin and within close proximity to the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial creates a visual line of leadership between the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., is the only non-president and African American to have a memorial built on the National Mall in Washington D.C.

MLK delivering ‘I Have a Dream’ Speech

Image courtesy of The Telegraph

Chinese Master Sculptor, Lei Yixin, created ‘the three-piece monument depicting the civil rights leader standing, arms crossed, before a large and imposing mountain representing the leader’s hard-fought struggle.

The image of King is being realized by Chinese master sculptor LEI YIXIN who won a design competition to create the artwork. ‘ – Live Mechanics

The 30′ tall centerpiece of the Martin Luther King Memorial called the “Stone of Hope”, a 30-foot statue of Dr. King, with a wall that will be inscribed with excerpts of his sermons and public addresses.

Lei Yixin next to a model of the MLK statue

Lei Yixin sculpts the granite head that will top the 30′ tall statue

The 30′ MLK Statue is seen in the center of this aerial view of a model of the  memorial park

The Martin Luther King Memorial will be designed combining water and beautiful landscaping to encourage quiet reflection while honoring America’s most famous civil rights leader. – About.com

Change to MLK Statue

‘At the request of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, sculptor Lei Yixin altered Martin Luther King Jr.’s facial expression to make it less severe. The before and after pictures suggest that he opened up the eyes, de-furrowed the brows, relaxed the cheek muscles and massaged the lips in the direction of a vague smile‘ – AJ Constitution

“The official dedication will occur on Sunday, August 28, 2011, the 48th anniversary of the March on Washington and Dr. King’s historic I Have A Dream speech, beginning with a pre-dedication concert at 10 a.m. The dedication ceremony will commence at 11 a.m. and a post-dedication concert will follow beginning at 2 p.m.

To learn more about dedication plans, including events that will take place earlier in Dedication Week, please visit www.dedicatethedream.org. The site will be updated frequently as Dedication planning progresses and offer the latest available information. The Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Foundation is currently collecting personal stories about how Dr. King affected the lives of Americans and people around the world. All are invited to submit memories of working alongside Dr. King, participating in the March on Washington, and more by visiting www.dedicatethedream.org/mystory.” – Capital Chatter

What a great achievement for all that have fought for equality, congratulations Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr!