Behold the Hammering Man. It stands tall before us. This monumental sculpture is more than mere metal and motion. It embodies the spirit of labor.
The Hammering Man is a tribute. It honors the working women and men of the world. Jonathan Borofsky designed this piece. He envisioned a symbol for every toiler. He is the village craftsman. He is the South African coal miner. He is the computer operator. He is also the farmer and the aerospace worker. These are the people who produce our commodities.
Seattle’s Hammering Man stands 48 feet tall. It weighs 26000 pounds. This “Man of Steel” is made of stainless steel and aluminum. An electric motor powers his left arm. It allows him to strike four times each minute. The Hammering Man works tirelessly. He labors 20 hours a day. He only rests from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. There is one exception. He takes a break on Labor Day.
Ironically, construction faced setbacks. In 1991 a lift-strap snapped. This damaged the sculpture and delayed its completion. It took a full year to recover. But since 1992, the Hammering Man has operated successfully. He has racked up over 42 million hammer hits.
The Hammering Man even inspired political statements. In 1993, an artist protested President Bill Clinton’s policies. He attached a ball and chain to the Hammering Man on Labor Day. He claimed workers were getting hammered.
This sculpture is not unique to Seattle. You can find other Hammering Men worldwide. They stand in Los Angeles, New York, and Seoul. Frankfurt, Germany has two. Borofsky hoped to have these figures working simultaneously across the globe.
The City of Seattle actually owns the Hammering Man. It stands outside the Seattle Art Museum. Many mistakenly attribute it to SAM’s collection. The Hammering Man was installed in 1991. It has become a beloved landmark.
As a silhouette, the figure is anonymous. It lacks distinguishing features. This allows the Hammering Man to represent all working classes. It is a celebration of their accomplishments. It is a global symbol.
The Hammering Man was funded by various sources. These included Seattle Art Museum 1% for Art. City Light 1% for Art and the Virginia Wright Fund also helped. Contributors to the Seattle Art Museum gave as well.
So as we stand here. Let us appreciate the Hammering Man. It is not just a sculpture. It is a testament to the enduring spirit of work. It is a reminder of those who build our world.