Client: Wassmuth Center for Human Rights

Location: Boise, ID, United States

Completion date: 2018

Artwork budget: $30,000

Project Team

Artist

Ken McCall

McCall Studios

Client

Dan Prinzing

Wassmuth Center for Human Rights

Overview

Designed for the Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial, this free-standing sculpture stands 7 feet tall, is 2 feet wide, and is made of stainless steel and heat treated stainless steel.

Goals

"Spiral of Injustice" represents a person perceived as not belonging , or "the Other”, due to religion, race, culture, socio-economic or other differences. The words “language, avoidance, discrimination, violence and elimination” are inscribed on the downward spiral in Braille, Spanish, English, Hebrew, Arabic and Chinese, signifying human behavior that contributes to social injustice.

Process

When discussing the design for the sculpture, McCall Studios was asked to incorporate the Wassmuth Center's Spiral of Injustice model used to facilitate dialogue regarding the marginalization of any individual or group. The resulting artwork displays the spiral encompassing "the Other", signifying the detriment to humanity when the spiral surfaces and is not interrupted by upstanders.

Additional Information

"Never forget that the Spiral of Injustice often begins with language — when words are used to demonize or marginalize others in the community. Never forget that injustice devolves to avoidance when “the other” is excluded through conscious or unconscious treatment that denies participation. Never forget that acts denying and disadvantaging “the other” based on class, race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ability or religious preference is discrimination. Never forget that violence intimidates and elimination eradicates “the other” in our community through deliberate and/or systemic destruction of life and/or liberty." Wassmuth Center for Human Rights