Muhammad Ali Portrait
People have been creating portraits for centuries trying to accurately portray a person’s likeness in all sorts of styles and techniques. So how does an artist now-a-day create a one of a kind portrait that doesn’t get lost in the crowd? Apparently, it takes a lot of dedication, hard work, and a unique view and understanding of the model.
It took artist Michael Kalish nearly three years in order to complete his portrait of Muhammad Ali. The heavyweight champion’s likeness is represented through the use of 1,300 punching bags hung from 6.5 miles of steel cable and 2,500 pounds of aluminum pipe.
photography by wired
The entire installation comes to an overwhelming height of 22 feet tall.
The punching bags are arranged in layers, and although it is only from the front that the portrait can be accurately seen.
The work is interesting and compelling from every angle and perspective.
In late March 2011, concert-goers, pedestrians and different visitors to the L.A. Live complex in downtown L.A. were greeted by the brand new, large-scale artwork installation depicting boxing tale Muhammad Ali.
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Courtesy of Michael Kalish