Presidential library announces new
sculpture to honor Abraham Lincoln’s legacy
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[February 13, 2020]
SPRINGFIELD – Abraham Lincoln was a master at using words to
motivate and inspire. Now his words will be part of a new sculpture
honoring the 16th president, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential
Library and Museum announced on Lincoln’s 211th birthday.
“Beacon of Endurance” will be an obelisk emblazoned with words
describing Lincoln’s inspiring legacy and some of his most striking
quotes. At night, the beacon will project inspirational – and
aspirational – words about American society onto the museum’s east
wall.
Exactly which words the sculpture will include has not been
determined yet. An advisory panel will help the presidential library
and the sculptor decide in the months ahead. As the project
develops, the public will also get a chance to share ideas through
social media.
“Beacon of Endurance” was designed by BJ Krivanek of the Chicago
firm Krivanek+Breaux/Art+Design. When completed, it will stand at
the museum’s southeast corner, at the intersection of Jefferson and
Seventh streets. The sculpture is 24 feet, 10 inches tall and
slightly tilted “to suggest human and constitutional traumas and
vulnerabilities,” Krivanek said.
The bottom, where Lincoln quotes will be inscribed, will weather and
rust over time. Above that, in impervious stainless steel, will be
individual words about Lincoln’s character and principles.
At night, the structure will project “societal ideals and issues
onto the museum walls, to become a beacon of American endurance
through decades of history that is still unfolding,” Krivanek said.
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“We are excited to bring this important work to our site,” said Lance Tawzer,
exhibits director at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and one
of the people who selected Krivanek+ Breaux’s proposal. “The sculpture will
identify the museum to people approaching from the east and, more importantly,
inspire reflection and discussion about Lincoln for generations to come.”
The presidential library will assemble members of the community to help
determine the wording on the beacon. Suggestions received via social media will
be shared with this group to help in its decision-making.
The $223,000 project is made possible by the Illinois Capital Development
Board’s Art-in-Architecture program. The board reserves one-half of one percent
of the cost of state building and renovation projects to purchase public art.
Since its inception in 1977, it has purchased or commissioned nearly 1,000 works
by Illinois artists.
“Throughout its history, Illinois has always supported great public art. CDB is
proud to partner with the ALPLM to bring this moving piece to life for the
people of Illinois,” said Jim Underwood, executive director of the Capitol
Development Board.
The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum uses a combination of
rigorous scholarship and high-tech showmanship to immerse visitors in Lincoln’s
life and times. The library holds an unparalleled collection of Lincoln books,
documents, photographs, artifacts and art, as well as some 12 million items
pertaining to all aspects of Illinois history.
For more information, visit
www. PresidentLincoln.illinois.gov.
[Christopher Wills
Communications Director
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum] |