Key Takeaways
- The Obama Presidential Center is currently under construction, with a unique feature being installed: 5-foot letters quoting a speech by former President Barack Obama.
- The letters are being wrapped around the south and west corners of the 225-foot-tall granite-clad museum tower, with the full quote expected to take several weeks to install.
- The quote, from the "You Are America" speech, emphasizes the importance of collective action and the power of the word "we" in democracy.
- The large letters will be visible from the windows inside the tower’s Nelson Mandela Skyroom, creating a unique and immersive experience for visitors.
- The installation is the last major detail on the tower’s exterior, marking a significant milestone in the construction of the Obama Presidential Center.
Introduction to the Obama Presidential Center
The Obama Presidential Center, currently under construction, is a testament to the legacy of former President Barack Obama. One of the most distinctive features of the center is the installation of 5-foot letters quoting a speech delivered by Obama in 2015. The speech, titled "You Are America," was given on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the historic Selma to Montgomery Civil Rights marches. The concrete letters, weighing between 5.5 and 10 tons each, are being wrapped around the south and west corners of the 225-foot-tall granite-clad museum tower.
The Installation Process
The installation of the letters is a complex process that requires careful planning and execution. Two of the 39 panels containing letters were put in place by workers using an aerial platform, with the first panel of the screen text being installed recently. The letters are a foot thick, making them a significant addition to the tower’s exterior. According to Obama Foundation officials, it will take several weeks to install the full quote, which will be visible from the windows inside the tower’s Nelson Mandela Skyroom. The installation is the last major detail on the tower’s exterior, marking a significant milestone in the construction of the Obama Presidential Center.
The Significance of the Quote
The quote, from the "You Are America" speech, emphasizes the importance of collective action and the power of the word "we" in democracy. The speech highlights the need for Americans to come together to address the challenges facing the country, rather than relying on individual effort. The words, which will be displayed prominently on the tower, will serve as a reminder of the importance of working together to create positive change. The quote also emphasizes the idea that America is a work in progress, with much to be accomplished in the pursuit of a more perfect union. As Obama said, "For everywhere in this country, there are first steps to be taken, there is new ground to cover, there are more bridges to be crossed."
The Architectural Design
The design of the Obama Presidential Center, led by architects Tod Williams and Billie Tsien, is intended to create a unique and immersive experience for visitors. The large letters will be visible from the windows inside the tower’s Nelson Mandela Skyroom, creating a sense of being "inside Obama’s head," as described by Tsien. The skyroom, which offers stunning views of the surrounding cityscape, will provide a unique perspective on the quote, allowing visitors to reflect on the significance of the words and their relevance to the current state of American democracy. The use of the quote as a design element also highlights the importance of language and rhetoric in shaping our understanding of the world and our place in it.
Conclusion
The installation of the 5-foot letters quoting the "You Are America" speech is a significant milestone in the construction of the Obama Presidential Center. The quote, which emphasizes the importance of collective action and the power of the word "we" in democracy, will serve as a reminder of the importance of working together to create positive change. The unique design of the center, which incorporates the quote into the tower’s exterior, will provide a distinctive and immersive experience for visitors, highlighting the enduring legacy of former President Barack Obama and the ongoing struggle for a more perfect union. As the construction of the center nears completion, the installation of the quote will be a powerful symbol of the importance of language, rhetoric, and collective action in shaping the future of America.