Obama Quote Unveiled at New Presidential Center
Workers at the Obama Presidential Center are currently installing monumental 5-foot letters from a significant speech delivered by former President Barack Obama. This speech commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery Civil Rights marches, which took place in Alabama.
Installation Details at the Obama Presidential Center
The quotes come from Obama’s “You Are America” speech, which he delivered at the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Currently, two of the 39 concrete panels have been successfully installed on the granite-clad tower, situated at the intersection of 60th Street and Stony Island Avenue. Each panel weighs between 5.5 and 10 tons and measures a foot thick.
Timeline and Completion
- The installation of the full quote will take several weeks, according to officials from the Obama Foundation.
- This work is the final major component of the tower’s exterior.
- The entire installation involves multiple panels, showcasing the words of the former president.
The complete quote that will be displayed reads: “You are America. Unconstrained by habit and convention. Unencumbered by what is, ready to seize what ought to be…” It emphasizes the collective strength and unity of the nation.
Architectural Significance
The large letters will be visible from the Nelson Mandela Skyroom within the center. Billie Tsien, one of the lead architects, shared that the design aims to create a space where visitors feel as though they are “inside his head.” This unique perspective enhances the center’s experience, connecting visitors with Obama’s powerful words.
Overall, the Obama Presidential Center not only serves as a place of remembrance but also as a beacon for collective progress and unity in America.
