(received critique from a friend who thought the
many sculptures on stairs would be terrifying and
i was not thinking it would be this way if it was
therapeutic though i can see how it could become
an unsettling experience and think maybe only a
small sampling would be needed, curated to be
powerful yet not overpowering... so some notes
on the idea a bit further for those interested...)
note: the plaster sculptures would not designed to
reenact the terror though to represent movements,
changes, and emotions involved. not to recreate
the events though to capture memories. though it
may be that many statues could be too much in such
a place. the idea that there would be a solemn and
quiet and powerful and moving experience is a goal,
yet not a traumatic encounter. enough to experience
an emotion that is insightful though not so much to
make the event too much, too literal.
for instance, the idea of using sculptures could
be considered in terms of art therapy, whereby the
survivors and relatives of lost loved ones could
participate with sculptors in making life castings
of themselves, becoming part of the building itself.
maybe there could be pathways which could aid in a
type of renewal of connections, where those who are
leaving by the stairs emerge out in the park, for
instance, and also in the meditative volume sitting
on benches along with visitors, in quiet reflection.
it could be an uplifting contextual experience and
would be purposeful not gratuitous nor without a
transformation from fear into freedom from fear,
by the survival of memories and love beyond hatred.
as such artists, sculptors, painters, designers,
architects, landscape architects and others could
create a context for mediating complex emotions
while strengthening individuals abilities to relate
to events of 9/11, to comprehend them in a personal
enough way to consider the meaning of these events
in relation to a way of life and individual choices
which are not different from this unique memorial;
these issues and values are relevant to everyone,
everywhere, at any time, and to clarify this fact
by identifying with the first person experiences,
with the overwhelming value of individuals lives
and the role each individual can have in helping
to make the world a better place for all people:
-- everyone is loved, remembered, and celebrated.
a park with grass, trees, flowers, birds, plants,
water, rocks, benches, song, children, sculptures,
art, music, picnics, gatherings, weddings, love...
would be the larger context for such experiences.
many sculptures on stairs would be terrifying and
i was not thinking it would be this way if it was
therapeutic though i can see how it could become
an unsettling experience and think maybe only a
small sampling would be needed, curated to be
powerful yet not overpowering... so some notes
on the idea a bit further for those interested...)
note: the plaster sculptures would not designed to
reenact the terror though to represent movements,
changes, and emotions involved. not to recreate
the events though to capture memories. though it
may be that many statues could be too much in such
a place. the idea that there would be a solemn and
quiet and powerful and moving experience is a goal,
yet not a traumatic encounter. enough to experience
an emotion that is insightful though not so much to
make the event too much, too literal.
for instance, the idea of using sculptures could
be considered in terms of art therapy, whereby the
survivors and relatives of lost loved ones could
participate with sculptors in making life castings
of themselves, becoming part of the building itself.
maybe there could be pathways which could aid in a
type of renewal of connections, where those who are
leaving by the stairs emerge out in the park, for
instance, and also in the meditative volume sitting
on benches along with visitors, in quiet reflection.
it could be an uplifting contextual experience and
would be purposeful not gratuitous nor without a
transformation from fear into freedom from fear,
by the survival of memories and love beyond hatred.
as such artists, sculptors, painters, designers,
architects, landscape architects and others could
create a context for mediating complex emotions
while strengthening individuals abilities to relate
to events of 9/11, to comprehend them in a personal
enough way to consider the meaning of these events
in relation to a way of life and individual choices
which are not different from this unique memorial;
these issues and values are relevant to everyone,
everywhere, at any time, and to clarify this fact
by identifying with the first person experiences,
with the overwhelming value of individuals lives
and the role each individual can have in helping
to make the world a better place for all people:
-- everyone is loved, remembered, and celebrated.
a park with grass, trees, flowers, birds, plants,
water, rocks, benches, song, children, sculptures,
art, music, picnics, gatherings, weddings, love...
would be the larger context for such experiences.