An Olympic Icon Becomes an Art Installation

One of the most enduring images of the Olympic games ever was that of American sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos raising their fists on the winner's podium in Mexico City in 1968. More than 50 years later, that iconic image is resurrected as an art installation by conceptual artist Glenn Kaino. The work, titled Bridge, was made in collaboration with Tommie Smith himself, who allowed his arm to be cast and discussed with Kaino how it would be presented.

Bridge consists of 500 casts of Smith's arm and fist, painted gold and suspended from the ceiling. From a distance, it really looks like a bridge. You need to get close to realize that it is, indeed, an arm, and a famous arm at that. Smith is now 80, but his arm is still strong. Bridge is on display at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, DC. Read about Kaino and Smith's collaboration at Smithsonian.

(Image credit: Lucia RM Martino and Tucker Garrison/Smithsonian American Art Museum)