9/11 Reflections – Public Art Project for People Who Live and Work in Lower Manhattan
Displayed at the Battery’s Gardens of Remembrance on August 4th, 2011
On August 4, 2011, from 10:00am to 6:00pm, reflections about 9/11 written by over 200 New Yorkers will be displayed in a temporary public art installation in the historic Battery’s Gardens of Remembrance. The piece, “September 11th Tenth Anniversary Reflections“, is the culmination of a public art project created by the Tribute WTC Visitor Center in collaboration with the non-profit Feel the Music, and The Battery Conservancy. Throughout the month of July, tables with art supplies were set up in parks in Lower Manhattan and people were given an opportunity to write or draw on small pieces of translucent mylar.
The reflections are heartfelt and range from remembrances, wishes for peace to sadness and anger, and often include stunning imagery and colours. “I miss my friends,” wrote one woman who worked at an office in the World Trade Center. A mother and two sons visiting from Pakistan said, “we all want peace” as they drew a picture of the Twin Towers with a plane flying towards it with circle and a line through the plane. One 9-year-old boy drew a picture of people holding hands, side by side, with the words “9/11 brought New Yorkers together” above his image. Another young man wrote, “I walked across the Brooklyn Bridge with thousands of other people” and then asked his girlfriend to add flowers below his drawing of the bridge.
“We wanted to give people who live and work in Lower Manhattan an opportunity to think about and share their thoughts as we approach the intensity of the anniversary,” commented Meriam Lobel, curator of the Tribute WTC Visitor Center. “The arts offer a path to self-expression when words are difficult to find,” added Valerie Ghent, musician and Executive Director of Feel the Music. “We were deeply moved to see how so many people resonated with the project, how meaningful it was for them to reflect and share their stories”. Artist Tova Snyder is weaving the pieces together in an creative and colorful assemblage that will flutter between poles of bamboo, materials chosen to harmonize with and complement the location. “This is the first time a work of art has been created in conjunction with the mission of the Gardens – to pay tribute to the survivors of September 11th and to those who were lost. We are glad the public will be able to see many individual stories of survivors when they visit the Garden of Remembrance,” commented Warrie Price, President and Founder of The Battery Conservancy.
At 11:00 am on Thursday, August 4th, there will be a press conference with the heads of all three
non-profits speaking about the project.
The Gardens of Remembrance are in the southwest corner
of The Battery, adjacent to the Hudson River. Click HERE for map.
What: “9/11 Tenth Anniversary Reflections†public art installation
When: Thursday, August 2011
Time: 10am-6pm
Where: Gardens of Remembrance, The Battery, New York City, NY.
Cost: FREE
Press conference: 11am Thursday August 4th, 2011.
The project is a collaboration of Tribute WTC Visitor Center, Feel the Music! and The Battery Conservancy and has been made possible with support from the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, Feel the Music!, Tribute WTC Visitor Center, with additional support from the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, Brookfield, 59 Maiden Lane Associates LLC, Hudson River Park Trust, and Manhattan Youth.
About Tribute:
The Tribute WTC Visitor Center is located at 120 Liberty Street along the south side of the World Trade Center site. The center was created by the September 11th Families’ Association to share the personal stories of victims, survivors, rescue and recovery workers, volunteers, and residents of Lower Manhattan. By engaging visitors in the authentic experiences of those most affected by the events of February 26, 1993 and September 11, 2001, the center’s five galleries and its walking tour program convey the efforts of those who responded to the tragedy and the steps taken towards working for a more peaceful world by many of those impacted by the events. Tributewtc.org
About Feel the Music!:
Feel the Music! is a nonprofit organization which provides music and inspiration to children, families and adults impacted by trauma, loss or illness. Founded in 2005 to serve 9/11 families, survivors, witnesses and recovery workers by using music and art to foster recovery and resilience, Feel the Music! continues to work with the 9/11 community to this day and has since expanded to serve hospitals, schools and senior centers in NYC. Partnering with local communities, Feel the Music! brings world-renowned musicians and teaching artists who engage participants with hands-on workshops, concerts, lessons and public art projects. feelthemusic.org
About The Battery Conservancy:
The Battery Conservancy was created in 1994 as a 501(c)(3) not–for–profit educational corporation to rebuild and revitalize the Battery and Castle Clinton National Monument, the park’s major landmark. The Battery remains one of the oldest public open spaces in continuous use in New York City. This is the first art project that is being planned specifically in relationship to the Gardens of Remembrance, which were created as to honor both those who were lost and those who survived. batteryconservancy.org
About Tova Snyder:
Feel the Music! teaching artist Tova Snyder is an international painter and muralist. She has created art installations for the Nice Jazz Festival, international festivals in Italy and Brazil, a six-story mural off the Grand Concourse in the Bronx and the Harrison, NY, Metro-North train station. A recipient of the prestigious Westchester Arts Council Arts Award, Ms. Snyder is currently working with Feel the Music! on a nine-month mural project with 9/11 families to be exhibited in September, 2011.