|
 A crane will lift the two figures, Lincoln and his
companion, high into the air before they are set in place and
affixed on their base Wednesday.
This monumental-scale piece is the enlarged version of Johnson’s
original work of art commissioned for Gettysburg Plaza in
Pennsylvania. The life-scale sculpture stands near the historic
Wills House in Gettysburg and depicts President Lincoln gesturing
with his famous hat to the bedroom in the Wills House where he
finished writing the Gettysburg Address before delivering the speech
at the dedication of the Soldiers National Cemetery, Nov. 19, 1863.
Beside him stands a “modern man” representing all of us. He holds a
gigantic bronze copy of the address in his hands, indicating that
these words are as valid to our contemporary life as they were in
Lincoln’s time.
On June 1, 1865, Senator Charles Sumner referred to the most famous
speech ever given by President Lincoln. In his eulogy for the slain
president, he called the Gettysburg Address a "monumental act" and
said Lincoln was mistaken that "the world will little note, nor long
remember what we say here." Rather, the Bostonian remarked, "The
world noted at once what he said, and will never cease to remember
it. The battle itself was less important than the speech.”
“The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is home to one
of the five copies of the Gettysburg Address written in Lincoln’s
own hand. It’s also dedicated to helping ordinary people understand
Lincoln’s extraordinary life and legacy. I think that makes us the
perfect place for a sculpture featuring both the speech and Lincoln
talking to a citizen,” said Alan Lowe, executive director of the
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.
The sculpture is being brought to Springfield thanks
to a partnership between the presidential library and the
Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau.
“What an incredible opportunity to host Seward Johnson’s “Return
Visit” monumental Abraham Lincoln statue for two summers. The City
of Springfield is beyond thrilled for this opportunity to draw
tourists to our city with this unique experience,” said Scott Dahl,
executive director of Visit Springfield.
The public is invited to view the awe-inspiring installation of the
31-foot-tall Lincoln and his companion at the corner of Sixth and
Jefferson streets, with the sculptures flying into position around
11 a.m.
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Artist Seward Johnson is a world-renowned sculptor
who has had more than 450 life-size cast bronze figures featured in
private collections and museums in the United States, Canada, Europe
and Asia, as well as on public view at prominent locales such as
Times Square and Rockefeller Center in New York City, Pacific Place
of Hong Kong, Les Halles in Paris and Via Condotti in Rome.
Johnson’s spectacular monumental-scale works have been on public
view or been permanently sited in Australia, Normandy, Brussels, New
York City, San Diego, Palm Springs, Washington, D.C., and Rome.
Regionally, people may be most familiar with Johnson’s works on
display in downtown Chicago on Michigan Avenue. Over the years,
these displays included the giant Marilyn Monroe with her skirt
blowing aloft, and the farmers with the pitchfork in homage to
painter Grant Wood. Even a rendition of Shakespeare’s King Lear has
awed the human-scale population and delighted passersby. The Lincoln
sculpture has been on view in Chicago and in Troy, Ohio, before most
recently travelling to Peoria, Ill.
Sculptor Seward Johnson notes: "President Lincoln's character and
accomplishments are imprinted forever on the nation he loved and
served so well. He has been a hero to millions of people and
certainly has inspired me throughout my life."
The Seward Johnson Atelier, Inc., was incorporated to promote the
appreciation of, and education about, sculpture and public art in
general, primarily through the creation, maintenance, sales and
public placement of Seward Johnson’s artwork.
For information about the artist see
www.sewardjohnsonatelier.org.
The Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum uses a combination of
rigorous scholarship and high-tech showmanship to immerse visitors
in the life and times of Abraham Lincoln. Visitors can see ghosts
come to life on stage, watch TV coverage of the 1860 presidential
election, roam through the Lincoln White House, experience booming
cannons in a Civil War battle and come face to face with priceless
original Lincoln artifacts.
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
Photo by John Morris of the Peoria Riverfront Museum, second photo
by Kenny Ek] |
