|
John Wesley Dobbs Memorial -
“THROUGH HIS EYES”
Artist: Ralph Helmick
(b. Pittsburgh, 1952, r. Newton, MA)
This monument and plaza on Auburn Avenue at Fort Street pays tribute to civil rights leader John Wesley Dobbs. Among other accomplishments, Dobbs was a Grand Master of the Prince Hall Masonic Lodge of Georgia, a leader in voter registration and political thought, and a famous orator who coined the phrase “Sweet Auburn.” Based on the 12th century Nigerian Iife-sculpture tradition, the bronze sculpture forms a “portrait mask” of Mr. Dobbs with text and quotes inscribed on the interior from which Auburn Avenue can be literally “viewed through his eyes.” The artist was selected through CODA’s nationwide Call for Artists Initiative and installed for the 1996 Olympic Games.
MATERIALS: Silicon bronze, exposed aggregate concrete pedestal
DIMENSIONS:
Sculpture – 5’-0” w x 5’-6” d x 7’-4-1/2” h
Base – 12’-1” d x 13-1/2” h
CONSULTANTS:
Stanley, Love-Stanley
|
Design Team Coordinator |
| EDAW, Inc. |
Landscape Architect |
| Palmer Engineering Company |
Structural Engineer |
| Digging It Up, Skip Mason |
Historic Interpretive Consultant |
| Shidoni Foundry, Inc. |
Fabricator |
| Baker Concrete Construction Co., Inc./ InSite |
General Contractor |
LOCATION: John Wesley Dobbs Plaza, Auburn Avenue at Fort Street
COMMISSIONING ORGANIZATION:
Corporation for Olympic Development in Atlanta (CODA)
Installation: 1996
|
