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Dr. Martin Luther King Memorial Monument

  The organizers of the $100 million monument to honor the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., have overcome obstacles finding a location for the project, raising money to get it built and criticism of commissioning a Chinese artist to do the job. Now the U.S. Commission on Fine Arts does not like the image created by the sculpture contracted to design it. The Commission does not like the sculpture by Chinese artist Lei Yixin, which depicts Dr. King emerging from a mass of rock, with his arms crossed in a cocky and confrontational pose.

Posted May 14, 2008

  The commission says the sculpture does not reflect the image of Dr. King, man whose message called for peace, This commission has the final say on approving the sculpture for site. According to a letter by the Commission Chair, Thomas Luebke, the commission wants the sculpture reworked to reflect a less stern and hostile image of the Civil Rights leader. The monument is projected to be open sometime next year. The Journal and Guide has posted a picture of the proposed memorial sculpture.

  What do you think of it? Send your responses and opinions to njguide@gmail.com  

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