Just in time for the Olympics, the Smithsonian is displaying Glenn Kaino’s “Bridge” sculpture, a work they recently acquired.
In 1968, Tommie Smith raised his fist in a Black Power salute at his Olympic gold medal ceremony after setting a world record in the 200 meter race, along with fellow American bronze medal winner John Carlos.
This act is now regarded as one of the major cultural shifts in the civil rights movement. While it gave hope to many at the time, it was widely vilified in the media. Smith and Carlos were sent home, banned from future Olympics, and suspended from the U.S. sports federation – followed by death threats and limited opportunities for a normal life. Smith has continued to work for civil rights and expanding opportunities in sports ever since then.
Their powerful silent protest in the 1968 Games was controversial, but it woke folks up and created greater opportunities for those that followed.
President Barack Obama
Kaino’s sculpture contains 200 life-sized casts of Tommie Smith’s arm in the salute, representing the 200 meter race and the legacy of the salute.
Origins of the sculpture
A friend of sculptor Glenn Kaino once saw that Kaino had a photo of Tommie Smith’s salute, and offered to connect him with Smith. After they met, Kaino started working with Smith to use his art to preserve Smith’s legacy.
The sculpture was first displayed in 2014 at one of the old Navy Annex buildings down by the Capitol Riverfront, taking up the whole empty building.
We heard Tommie Smith and Glenn Kaino speak about the sculpture at a talk sponsored by American University in 2017. Smith described how he grew up poor in East Texas picking cotton, and he said he held up his fist at the Olympics to try to make other young people feel less sad than he had been growing up.
You’ll find the sculpture hung in the Luce Conservation Center, which is off the third floor of the American Art Museum. While you are there, go up the old winding metal stairs and you will see why the Smithsonian is called “America’s attic” with case after case of fascinating items that are not displayed in the main part of the museum. You can also see conservators at work in the glass offices nearby.
A remarkable set of images of a single subject, photographed from multiple perspectives. An important story worth hearing again. Thanks.
Thanks, Jeff!