Skip to Content
Art

reALIze ~ LA Live

11:45 AM PST on March 3, 2011

The monument is the result of a three-year creative journey that began when internationally lauded artist Michael Kalish was approached by Lonnie and Muhammad Ali to create a private original sculpture for them from Kalish's signature license plate art collection.

This experience provided the inspiration for Kalish to undertake the epic task of creating reALIze. The monument is larger than life, as is Ali's legacy: an appropriate testament to the essence of the legend the world has come to know, simply, as "The Greatest."
The breath-taking effect is an enormous, 360-degree, two-story structure composed of five miles of stainless steel, two miles of aluminum tubing, and 1300 boxing speed bags. Viewed from nearly every angle, the result appears to be a massive, boxing-inspired rainstorm -- but find the exact right position, and it unexpectedly becomes a 2-D vision of the timeless face of Muhammad Ali.
Conceptualized by Kalish and designed by Kalish and architectural firm Oyler Wu Collaborative, reALIze is the ultimate tribute to the iconic boxing legend.

The unveiling of reALIze is scheduled for March 25, 2011 at L.A. Live in Los Angeles, CA. More info on RealizeAli.com.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More Stories

Exclusive: Video Footage Appears to Show Drinking Water Contaminated With Worms Inside Adelanto ICE Processing Center

Detainees at Adelanto claim that staff have provided them with water from an unknown source that is routinely contaminated, despite a federal judge’s orders to provide detainees with clean, potable water. A video L.A. TACO received backs this up.

A New Backyard-Only Brazilian Steakhouse Opens In Pasadena

“I am trying to recreate an atmosphere that is very close to a backyard barbecue in Brazil,” the chef tells L.A. TACO. “People can expect good music, lots of protein: beef ribs, steaks, sausages, and veggies."

July 31, 2026

Update: FIFA Cancels Proposed Investment Scheme After Global Outrage, Backlash

FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s greed finally pushed everyone to the limit as UEFA threatens a boycott of all FIFA tournaments, including the World Cup, and CONCACAF have formally rejected FIFA’s latest proposal.

July 30, 2026

Remember the 99 Cents Only Art Show? Artists Allege They Got Ripped Off.

A number of local artists involved in a heavily attended, viral art show in a former 99 Cents Only Store tell L.A. TACO they’re still yet to be paid for the work that was sold.

July 29, 2026

Who’s At Risk of Being Detained at Airports by ICE? What We Know.

After good samaritans prevented ICE from detaining a Vietnamese-Australian man at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, community watch groups are receiving more calls about airport targets.

July 29, 2026

A California DJ Recounts the Horrors of Immigrant Detention at Otay Mesa

Diana Ledesma alleges forced pregnancy tests, a potential infectious disease outbreak, and human-sized cages during her nearly four-month imprisonment at the San Diego facility.