Welcome to Atlanta, the pulsating heart of Georgia, home to a breathtaking new marvel: a statue of Martin Luther King Jr, fondly named 'Moving Forward'. This masterpiece, skillfully sculpted by Basil Watson, stands proud at the intersection of Northside Drive and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, near the magnificent Mercedes-Benz Stadium. 'Moving Forward' is no ordinary monument, just as Atlanta is no ordinary city. It resonates with the spirit of the man, the city, and the times we live in - a spirit of hope, braveness, and faith in an optimistic tomorrow.
This monument, more than anything, symbolizes unity, courage, and perseverance. Its message transcends time and space, reaching every person who beholds it, offering a message of hope and optimism for the future. To truly understand 'Moving Forward', one must delve into its history, its design, and its message. The unveiling of this monument took place alongside Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms in a moving ceremony. From over 80 submissions by sculptors, Basil Watson's design was chosen.
'Moving Forward' is the second statue to honor Martin Luther King Jr in Atlanta in the past four years, the first one being revealed at the Georgia State Capitol in 2017. According to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 'Moving Forward' is the first of seven monuments commissioned by the city of Atlanta in honor of King. A month following the unveiling of 'Moving Forward', Atlanta introduced additional bronze statues of civil rights activists along Martin Luther King Jr.
Drive, including Dorothy Lee Bolden, Rita Jackson Samuels, W. A. Scott, and Hosea Williams. The statue, standing 12 feet tall (3.7 meters) and perched on a 6 feet (1.8 meters) pedestal, is a formidable symbol of hope, courage, and resilience. Its outstanding design, featuring Martin Luther King Jr. releasing a dove from his right hand, and the unique vision behind it, make 'Moving Forward' truly distinct. Watson, while discussing the statue, mentioned, 'My concept of what Martin Luther King Jr.
represents and the message he wished to share with the world evolved with this statue. Inscribed on the front of the pedestal are the following words: 'DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. / January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968 / Dedicated by the / CITY of ATLANTA / 2021 /'.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata
Written by No other
Discuss this with the author and others
No comments yet. Be the first to start the conversation.