The bronze Shaq is nine feet tall, and according to Amrany, 1,500 pounds, though the official Lakers press release lists it as 1,200. But what’s 300 pounds? To me, that says that if the bronze Diesel fell on me, I might die a little slower.
It will sit 10 feet off the ground, which means unless you are as tall as Shaq, or at least have something resembling an NBA vertical leap, you’ll never be able to touch it. This is a drastic departure from the Chick Hearn piece—a recreation of the play-by-play man at the announcer’s table calling a game. There’s even a second seat for you to sit down and pose for photos.
“Julie and I worked to create Chick Hearn, knowing that the Lakers would have to routinely maintain the table and the chair. It’s like the nose of Lincoln or some pieces of bronze of a sculpture in Europe, because people always touch it for luck. So here, the chair and the table and part of the shoulders are always abused by people—and I would say ‘abused’ in a positive way—who want to take photographs.”
For Amrany, Shaq had to be different. He had to be unattainable.
“I feel [with the Shaq statue] that instead of the touching and hugging, it’s the desire,” he says. “I wouldn’t be surprised if people spent their time jumping, trying to touch it, which is OK, you know? It’s part of how people use contemporary art today—the interaction with the public.”
But, quite frankly, I’m more concerned with it interacting with my head. I have to ask him, is it safe?
“We worked with three different engineers to engineer this piece that will be safe and sound and strong. Second, we’re working with a group of very good California welders from Burbank who are working with AEG behind the scenes to make sure everything is strong.”
I’m not aware of Burbank welders having an international reputation for craftsmanship, but I’m trying to give them the benefit of the doubt.
“I requested a payload of 10,000 pounds strength. That’s 10 times more than other pieces,” he continues.
That’s better. Nothing calms me down like math.