Unity Sculpture |
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Commemorating the 40th
Anniversary of the |
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E Pluribus Unum ● Out of Many, One ● United We Stand, Divided we Fall |
WHO:
The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Human Rights Commission
The Lexington-Fayette
Urban County Human Rights Commission is an independently chartered agency of the
Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government.
Local Ordinances 199-94 and 201-99 give the Commission the right to
investigate complaints of discrimination in Lexington-Fayette County in the
areas of employment, housing and public accommodation based on race, color,
national origin, religion, sex, disability, familial status and/or sexual
orientation/gender identity. In
addition, the Commission promotes efforts to improve human relations and the
elimination of discriminatory practices in our community through an extensive
community relations program.
The history of the
Commission is a rich and varied one. Seeking to be pro-active in dealing with racial
discrimination issues in the early 1960s, the Commission had its start in 1963,
a full year before the federal Civil Rights Act was passed by Congress in 1964.
As civil rights protections have expanded, so has the work of the
Commission. Lexington-Fayette County can rightfully be proud of its
Commission’s work to end discrimination facing its residents and visitors and
to enrich our community through full and equal opportunities for all.
WHAT:
Sculpture Commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the Commission
To commemorate four decades
of accomplishments in civil rights, the Commission has asked award-winning local
sculptors Stacey Chinn and Micky Maxson of The Atelier studio to design a work
that encompasses the spirit and work of the Commission:
CONCEPT:
As
seen above in a side view sketch, the sculpture begins with the concept of unity
as expressed in a globe partially resting in the earth.
The majority of this sphere is then removed leaving three elements:
- Arc: A stainless steel arc of polished metal rises 15 feet into the air. The outward steel surface will be polished with a texture. The inward surface will consist of a semi-reflective, smooth surface. Near the top of the arc, a small opening will allow a beam of sunlight to reach down …and for the viewer to look upwards. As seen in the side view above, the Arc is anchored underground.
- Seat: Another portion of the sphere’s shell remains as a bench of polished stainless steel facing the Arc.
- Footstone
Semi-circle (pictured below in top-down view of sculpture): A
semi-circular footstone connects the Arc and Seat. Constructed of
polished stone set into the earth, this semi-circle completes the impression
of a sphere and will be engraved with the commemorative text:
E
Pluribus Unum ● Out of Many, One ● United We
Stand, Divided We Fall ● Celebrating 40 Years of Civil Rights
● Lexington-Fayette Urban County Human Rights Commission, 1963 –
2003 – And Into Tomorrow
“E
pluribus unum” (Latin for “Out of Many, One”) is our country’s original
motto from 1776.
“United We Stand, Divided We Fall” is Kentucky’s state motto.
WHEN:
To be announced.
The site will also be
landscaped to blend and accentuate the sculpture with other elements of its
location. A plexi-glass stand next to the sculpture will contain
walking/driving tours highlighting various themes from central Kentucky’s
multi-cultural, architectural, and botanical heritages.
Expressing the hopes and
dreams of the original founders of the Commission for a unified Lexington full
of opportunities for all…of the on-going work of the Commission to enforce
civil rights and promote inter-group harmony…and of the role of all
individuals in being part of this process… is a difficult artistic task.
The authors have admirably brought these visions together through abstract,
geometrical forms:
- Unity and Community are the unseen yet suggested sphere into which the viewer enters. The perfect form represented by the unity of a sphere is also both fragile shell and seed from which the viewer emerges with a message of hope and equality.
- H and Opportunity are represented by the Arc reaching towards the heavens that provides both for light to enter and for the viewer to symbolically look into the distance…to dream…of new horizons and new opportunities.
- Either standing or sitting meditatively on the Seat, the viewer’s gaze is drawn to the smooth inner surface of the Arc. Here viewers see a rough reflection of themselves blended into the whole, diffused surface of the Arc. Civil rights and the civic responsibilities of upholding them are not about one group or one type of person but about all Lexingtonians. Similarly, the histories, struggles and contributions of all Lexingtonians are part of our joint heritage.
- The Semi-Circle is incomplete; the circle is not finished. As such, it symbolizes the on-going and incomplete work of eradicating discrimination.
- The
stainless steel material itself symbolizes both the strength and shining
ideals incorporated into the laws that enforce civil rights.
WHERE:
Location
The Commission is seeking
a site where many of the historical tours of the area intersect and working with
other Lexington-Fayette County agencies to finalize a downtown site.
Placed in this location, the sculpture will in effect become the starting point
for these tours and the symbolic nexus of our diverse history narratives that
together weave our common central Kentucky heritage. Currently we are
looking at several sites along the Main Street-Vine Street corridors.
WHY:
Goals of the Sculpture
- Commemorate
40 years of civil rights accomplishments by the Lexington-Fayette Urban
County Human Rights Commission
- Provide
a pro-active message of welcome, harmony, and inclusion to Fayette
County’s diverse social groups
- Beautify
the downtown through local public works of art
- Create
a space for education around civil rights and diversity issues
- Create
a series of tours linked to the sculpture that will draw local and visiting
tourists and education groups to boost the area…and especially
downtown’s…appeal as a progressive city of amenities and culture
HOW:
Funding Sources
The Human Rights
Commission and staff do not fund-raise and are not accepting donations.
Donations must go to an account set up through the Blue Grass Community
Foundation, who will accept all donations and manage the funds.
Contact Information:
Susanna P. Creek
Executive Director
Blue Grass Community Foundation
200 W. Vine St., Ste. 205
Lexington KY 40507-1620
Ph: 859-225-3343
Fax: 859-243-0770
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: www.bgcf.org
For further information on the Commission anniversary activities and other projects, contact
Kathy Riley Hughes
LFUC Human Rights Commission
162 E Main St. Ste. 226
Lexington, KY 40507-1315
Ph: 859-252-4931, ext. 16
Fax/TDD: 859-252-7057
E-mail: [email protected]