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“The Stolen Dove” statue tells the story of civil rights leader Alex Odeh.\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t“The Stolen Dove” statue tells the story of civil rights leader Alex Odeh.\t\t\t\t\t\t
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Located in front of the Santa Ana Public Library, \u201cThe Stolen Dove\u201d sculpture represents Palestinian American poet, Cal State Fullerton alum and civil rights leader Alex Odeh. The sculpture was created by Khalil Bendib and supported through a fundraising effort led by radio personality Casey Kasem.<\/p>\n
In 2020, the sculpture\u2019s dove was stolen, recovered by police and eventually reattached to the monument. Working with the city and Odeh\u2019s family, and with Bendib\u2019s permission, artists at Grand Center Art Center have removed the dove once more \u2014 this time with intention and care \u2014 so it can serve as a messenger carrying forward the story of Odeh\u2019s life.<\/p>\n
By setting the dove in motion again, Grand Central Art Center invites the public to participate in a living monument \u2014 one that expands beyond the library grounds and the bronze figure into the everyday lives of those who choose to know and tell Odeh\u2019s story. The dove will begin its journey with Odeh\u2019s daughter, Helena, and wife, Norma, before traveling to a series of homes and institutions that are connected to and inspired by Odeh\u2019s legacy. Each location will host the dove, sharing its story with families, friends and communities. In June, the dove will be returned to the statue.<\/p>\n
Each family or organization that hosts the dove will hold a community gathering to share the story of Odeh\u2019s life. After moving the dove to its next host, they will receive a precise replica as a gift, encouraging them to continue carrying the story forward. In this way, a single public sculpture of a dove multiplies into a flock, with each holder becoming a long-term steward and storyteller.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Stolen Dove\u201d\u00a0is a project led by artist\u00a0Jon Rubin\u00a0in collaboration with the\u00a0Odeh family\u00a0and\u00a0Grand Central Art Center<\/a>. The project will\u00a0debut its first public activation at the\u00a0Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, in collaboration with the premiere of the documentary film \u201cWho Killed Alex Odeh?\u201d\u00a0by filmmakers Jason Osder\u00a0and\u00a0William Lafi Youmans.<\/p>\n This project was made possible with the support of Norma, Helena and the city of Santa Ana. Project funding was provided in part by the Segerstrom Foundation and The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts<\/a>, which supports Grand Central Art Center\u2019s\u00a0artist-in-residence program<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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“The Stolen Dove” statue tells the story of civil rights leader Alex Odeh.
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