- The American (statue)
The American is a 217 ft (66 m)
bronze statue of a Native American to be built atHolmes Peak nearTulsa, Oklahoma ,USA , by sculptorShan Gray .Holmes Peak, located in southeastern Osage County some 7 miles (11 km) northwest of downtown Tulsa, is the highest point in the immediate region with an altitude of 1030 ft (314 m). It is within the grounds of the Centennial Botanical Garden.
"The American", designed in the visage of an American Indian brave with a
bald eagle on his shoulder, will rise 60 ft (20 m) taller than theStatue of Liberty , and will be the largest bronze statue in the world with an interior observation deck. The eagle will have an 82 ft (25 m)wingspan .Gray, who is part
Osage , has built a career on large-scale sculptures of Oklahoman sports figures such asNew York Yankees pitcher Allie "Superchief" Reynolds andHeisman trophy winnerBilly Vessels , conceived "The American" as an entry for a contest to design a statue for the dome of theOklahoma State Capitol , which was added to the building in 2001. Initially intended for the outskirts of Oklahoma City, the Tulsa location was selected after investor disinterest.The design was enlarged for the landmark Holmes Peak site and for visitor access, and will include a visitor center and other amenities and underground access to the statue, rather than directly at the base, to preserve the natural setting.
According to a statement by developers in Spring 2007, the project was anticipated to break ground in late 2007 and be completed in 2011. It was originally intended for the 100th anniversary of Oklahoma's admission as a
U.S. state in 1907. [Cite web | date=2007-04-24 | url=http://kotv.com/news/local/story/?id=125807| title=Progress On The American Slow But Steady | publisher=KOTV | accessdate=2007-04-28] [Cite web | date=2007| url=http://www.theamerican.com/home/index.cfm?&Flash=1| title= The American | publisher=The American Project | accessdate=2007-04-28] [cite web |url=http://www.kswo.com/Global/story.asp?S=7617726 |title=Artist says 21-story American Indian monument still planned |publisher=KWSO, Lawton] However, as of July 2008, no announcement on groundbreaking or the project's status has been made and the project's website has been taken down.ee also
*
Crazy Horse Memorial
*Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, home of the world's largest "praying hands" statueReferences
External links
* [http://theamerican.com/home/index.cfm?flash=1 "The American" official website] dead link|date=July 2008
* [http://www.ocolly.com/new_ocollycom/new_site/read_story.php?a_id=27022 Native statue represents ideas] -Oklahoma State University "Daily O'Collegian "
* [http://www.cityoftulsa.org/press+releases/mo04-031.htm Tulsa anticipates "The American" becoming a main tourist attraction] - City of Tulsa
* [http://nativetimes.com/index.asp?action=displayarticle&article_id=4015 Largest free standing bronze statue may be built in Tulsa]
* [http://www.news-star.com/stories/071505/new_20050715056.shtml Investors raise $1 million toward statue]
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