Statue of Michael Jordan
Statue of Michael Jordan | |
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The Spirit, Michael Jordan's Spirit | |
Artist | |
Year | 1994 |
Medium |
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Dimensions | 3.7 m (12 ft) |
Location | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
41°52′51″N 87°40′23″W / 41.88070°N 87.67307°W |
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The statue of Michael Jordan, also known as The Spirit (and sometimes referred to as Michael Jordan's Spirit), is a bronze sculpture by Omri Amrany and
History
Background
Michael Jordan had spent his entire career with the Chicago Bulls since being drafted in the
After Jordan retired following the 1992–93 NBA season, Chicago Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf sought a sculptor to honor Jordan and requested that Chicago Bulls Vice President Steve Schanwald seek proposals from artists.[3] Twelve artists made proposals.[4] In January 1994, Schanwald hired Omri and Julie Rotblatt-Amrany of Highland Park, Illinois, who erected a statue at the Bulls' new home for the 1994–95 NBA season, the United Center.[3] Until 1994 when they both moved, the Bulls and Blackhawks had played at Chicago Stadium.[5][6]
Creation and installation
While the sculpture was a work in progress, the location of the sculptor's rented studio was kept secret from the rest of the world, while the husband-and-wife sculptor team and three assistants spent four months working for sixteen hours every day of the week.[7] The process involved two sittings with Jordan for measurements and photos, including one in which the clay version had to be driven from Chicago to Nashville, to ensure the accuracy of the clay likeness.[4] The 2,000-pound (910 kg) sculpture, which is 12 feet (3.7 m) tall, rests on a 5-foot high black granite base that has an inscription reading "The best there ever was. The best there ever will be." The base also includes a list of his accomplishments. The bronze statue used lost-wax casting.[3] The sculpture has led to a lot of similar work for the couple.[4]
The sculpture's official address is United Center, 1901 W. Madison Street.
The sculpture was installed on October 31
Relocation
In 2012 and 2014, various plans were floated for the parking lot east of the United Center.[13][14] On January 22, 2015, the Bulls announced plans to move the statue to a planned atrium, while statues of Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita were to remain outside the United Center.[15] Construction commenced in mid-2015.[16] On March 1, 2017, there was a ceremonial celebration for the opening of the 190,000-square-foot (18,000 m2) United Center east addition. The statue can be found inside the atrium between the new addition and the original United Center, which is open daily from 10 AM to 6 PM and later on event days.[17][18]
Reception and legacy
Some complain that the sculpture does not depict Jordan's well-known open-mouthed tongue wag.[19] Chicago Tribune art critic Alan G. Artner says the inscription at the base that reads "The best there ever was. The best there ever will be." refers only to the subject and not the sculpture.[9] Following the Bulls' second three-peat after Jordan's return, the statue became a sports mecca for fans to gather and take photographs.[20] ESPN The Magazine listed the sculpture as one of the ten greatest sports photo opportunities in 1998.[21]
In 1994, 55 (originally planned for 123 pieces) 28-inch (71.1 cm) bronze
At times, the statue has been adorned with various Chicago Blackhawks player jerseys. When Denis Savard's jersey was retired on March 19, 1998, fans put his jersey on the statue, but it was removed one hour later.[26] During the 2010 Stanley Cup Finals, United Center personnel added an ice hockey helmet, a Reebok jersey of captain Jonathan Toews and Reebok ice skates to the statue.[27][28][29] Within 48 hours, the Reebok logos on the ice skates had been covered by Nike stickers.[30] When Chicagoan Barack Obama welcomed the Blackhawks to the White House as President of the United States, he made mention of the jersey being placed on the Jordan statue.[31] In May 2011, there was an announcement the Hockey Hall of Famers Stan Mikita and Bobby Hull would have statues placed outside of the United Center near Jordan's sometime early during the 2011–12 NHL season.[32]
See also
References
- NBA.com. Archived from the originalon February 6, 2008. Retrieved September 18, 2011.
- NBA.com. Archived from the originalon July 7, 2006. Retrieved September 18, 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f "Michael Jordan Statue". United Center. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
- ^ NBA.com. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
- Chicago Historical Society/Newberry Library. Retrieved September 18, 2011.
- Chicago Historical Society/Newberry Library. Retrieved September 18, 2011.
- ^ a b Revsine, Barbara (November 27, 1994). "High-flying Sculptors: Meet The Couple Who Immortalized Michael Jordan In Bronze". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
- ^ Thorn Clark, Sandy (July 12, 2011). "Share the wealth: Help tourists find Chicago's offerings". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
- ^ a b c Artner, Alan G. (November 2, 1994). "Jordan Truly Larger Than Life: Sculpture Shows Spirit Of The Man, But Little More". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
- ^ a b Johnson, K. C. (September 10, 2009). "Chapter 10: Chicago". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
- ^ Armour, Terry (December 9, 1994). "Sculptors Clear The Air On Pose Of Jordan Statue". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
- ^ Kuc, Chris (October 7, 2009). "Blackhawks' Bolland, Eager out Thursday at Red Wings". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
- ^ Maidenberg, Micah (April 28, 2012). "United Center plans retail space: Restaurants and bars would replace parking lot east of the arena". Crain's Chicago Business. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
- ^ Maidenberg, Micah (October 1, 2014). "Blackhawks, Bulls owners mull office project next to United Center". Crain's Chicago Business. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
- DNA info. Archived from the originalon November 28, 2018. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
- Curbed.com. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
- ^ Kuc, Chris (March 1, 2017). "Michael Jordan statue centerpiece of United Center's East addition". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
- ^ Ecker, Danny (March 1, 2017). "Photos: Inside United Center's new east addition". Crain's Chicago Business. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
- ^ Rhodes, Steve (November 7, 1994). "Even In Bronze, Jordan Spirit Is A Real Magnet". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
- ^ Araton, Harvey (June 4, 1998). "Sports of The Times; Sensing Something Special, a Celebration Is Delayed". The New York Times. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
- ^ Norwood, Robyn (August 7, 1998). "Shaq's Touch Better Online Than at Line". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
- ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ^ Armour, Terry (May 2, 1995). "Michael On A Mantel? For 10 Grand, He's Yours". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
- ^ "Bye-bye, No. 23: Buzz went to see Michael Jordan's Chicago..." Chicago Tribune. November 8, 1994. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
- ^ Smith, Sam (November 2, 1994). "Jordan Recalled: Extremely Human, Hugely Gifted". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
- ^ Mitchell, Fred (May 20, 1998). "Bulls Enforce Dress Code On Jordan Statue". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
- AOL News. Archived from the originalon October 8, 2012. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
- ^ Weir, Tom (May 28, 2010). "Michael Jordan statue now looks like "Ice Jordan"". USA Today. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
- ^ "Air Toews". NBC Chicago. May 29, 2010. Retrieved September 3, 2001.
- ^ Kerby, Trey (June 2, 2010). "Even Michael Jordan's statue is a company man". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
- ^ Jahns, Adam L. (March 11, 2011). "Transcript: Pres. Obama honors the Blackhawks at White House". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on September 28, 2011. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
- ^ "Mikita, Hull to get statues outside UC". Chicago Sun-Times. January 9, 2011. Retrieved September 3, 2011.