The first three sections of artist Mario Chiodo's massive monument, inspired by the Sept 11 attack, were unveiled at Kaiser Memorial Park in Oakland yesterday. Sixty thousand pounds of bronze will go into the creation of "Remember Them," a four-piece sculpture that will eventually depict 25 historical figures, including FDR, Frederick Douglass, Malcolm X, Oskar Schindler, Susan B. Anthony, Cesar Chavez, Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Maya Angelou. Chiodo plans to finish the sculpture next year, if the Oakland Chamber of Commerce, which is footing the bill, can raise the $2 million still needed.
The sculpture is 52 feet wide and 21 feet high, covering 1,000 square feet.
Update 11:10 a.m. Our reporter at the scene, Caitlin Esch, says conflicting press releases have muddled some of the reporting on this. In addition to the 14 internationally known figures now represented, eight local luminaries are also depicted.
The fourth sculpture, still being worked on, will add 11 international figures and six more locals. That'll make 39 total individuals represented.