The Freedom Sculpture or Freedom: A Shared Dream, is a 20,400 lb (9,300 kg) stainless steel, gold, and silver public art sculpture in Century City, Los Angeles, California, by artist and architect Cecil Balmond.[1] Balmond applied both titles to this sculpture, inspired by the 2,500 year old Cyrus Cylinder considered by some to have been an early written declaration of human rights[1] by Cyrus the Great, King of ancient Iran, who was viewed as granting individual and religious freedoms to all those within his vast and culturally diverse empire.[2][3]

The Freedom Sculpture
ArtistCecil Balmond
YearJuly 4, 2017
MediumStainless Steel
SubjectHuman rights, Freedom of religion, Multiculturalism, Inclusiveness
Dimensions4.6 by 6.1 by 2.75 meters (15.1 ft × 20.0 ft × 9.0 ft)
Weight9,253 kg
LocationCentury City, Los Angeles, California.
Coordinates34°03′47″N 118°24′56″W / 34.06305°N 118.41569°W / 34.06305; -118.41569

Design and construction

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The sculpture was commissioned by the Farhang Foundation, and Balmond's design was selected among over 300 worldwide entries. The double-cylinder sculpture is made of two water jet-cut stainless steel double cylinders (gold interior cylinder, silver exterior cylinder), supported by two 15-foot diameter stainless steel half-rings. The sculpture sits on a travertine stone platform and includes lighting.[4]

Donation and unveiling

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The sculpture was officially donated to the city of Los Angeles and unveiled on July 4, 2017 with a crowd of over 75,000 attendees.[5][6][7] At the unveiling ceremony, a proclamation of support by California Governor Jerry Brown was read.[8] Also, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti sent a video message [9] and Fifth District Councilman Paul Koretz presented a certificate of appreciation to the Farhang Foundation and the Iranian-American community.[10]

The sculpture is located on Santa Monica Boulevard on a street median at Century City, Los Angeles, California.

Funding and support

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The Freedom Sculpture generated significant support on social media, with over 1.1 million fans supporting its creation with over $2.2 million.[3] While crowd-funding played a significant role in raising money for The Freedom Sculpture, a relatively small group of people, comprising the Freedom Sculpture Founders Circle, contributed over 50% of the funds raised. [11]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Vankin, Deborah (15 January 2016). "Q&A: Cecil Balmond on his sculpture for Santa Monica Boulevard and why it honors a Persian emperor". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  2. ^ "Century City Freedom Sculpture unveiled on Santa Monica Boulevard median". LA Curbed. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
  3. ^ a b Hamilton, Matt (July 4, 2017). "'Los Angeles embodies diversity.' The city's new sculpture celebrating freedom is unveiled". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
  4. ^ "Freedom Sculpture". Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  5. ^ "Freedom Sculpture unveiled in LA". Abc7.com. July 4, 2017. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
  6. ^ "LA Freedom Sculpture To Be Unveiled Tuesday". Losangeles.cbslocal.com. July 4, 2017. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
  7. ^ "LA Freedom Sculpture to Be Unveiled at Fourth of July Party". Associated Press. Archived from the original on July 5, 2017. Retrieved July 10, 2017 – via US News.
  8. ^ "Freedom Sculpture" (PDF). Freedomsculpture.org. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
  9. ^ Mehrfar, K. E. "O.C. Iranian Americans attend dedication of Freedom Sculpture". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
  10. ^ "Certificate of Appreciation" (PDF). Freedomsculpture.org. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
  11. ^ "Freedom Sculpture Donors' Wall". Wall.freedomsculpture.org. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
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