The American
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- This is the article about the planned statue. For the Henry James novel with the same name, see The American (novel). "The American" was also the working title of Citizen Kane.
The American is a 217 ft (66 m) bronze statue of a Native American to be built at Holmes Peak near Tulsa, Oklahoma by sculptor Shan Gray.
Holmes Peak, located in southeastern Osage County some 7 miles (11 km) northwest of downtown Tulsa, is the highest point in the immediate region with an altitude of 1030 ft (314 m). It is within the grounds of the Centennial Botanical Garden being designed for the 100th anniversary of Oklahoma's admission as a U.S. state.
The American, designed in the visage of an American Indian brave with a bald eagle on his shoulder, will rise 60 ft (20 m) taller than the Statue of Liberty, and will be the largest bronze statue in the world with an interior observation deck. The eagle alone with have an 82 ft (25 m) wingspan. It will surpass by 5 feet the statue of Mother Russia, in Volgograd, which currently holds the record for the world's largest freestanding sculpture.
Gray, who is part Osage, has built a career on large-scale sculptures of Oklahoman sports figures such as New York Yankees pitcher Allie "Superchief" Reynolds and Heisman trophy winner Billy Vessels, conceived The American as an entry for a contest to design a statue for the dome of the state capitol of Oklahoma, which was added to the building in 2001. Initially intended for the outskirts of Oklahoma City, the Tulsa location was selected after investors disinterest.
The design was enlarged for the landmark Holmes Peak site and for visitor access, and will include a visitor center and other amenities and underground access to the statue, rather than directly at the base, to preserve the natural setting. An observation deck in the brave's head and a video observation deck in the midsection will permit 360-degree views.
Funding is expected to be almost entirely private; construction costs are estimated at $40 million. Public money was sought but, allegedly, withdrawn on fears of tornado damage. Completion is expected sometime in 2007. Currently, as of March 22, 2007, ground has yet to be broken on the project.
[edit] See also
- Crazy Horse Memorial
- Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, home of the world's largest "praying hands" statue
[edit] External links
- The American official website
- Native statue represents ideas - Oklahama State University Collegian
- Tulsa anticipates "The American" becoming a main tourist attraction - City of Tulsa
- Largest free standing bronze statue may be built in Tulsa
- Investors raise $1 million toward statue
