Twin Reflecting Pools of the National September 11 Memorial (9/11 Memorial) Revisited

Yesterday, more than 1000 people gathered at the National September 11 Memorial plaza for the annual reading of victims' names from both the 1993 and 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center. The solemn proceedings were held around two reflecting pools that stand in the footprint of the fallen twin towers. Flags, flowers, photos, origami, stuffed toys and other items were left on the bronze panel edging of the memorial pools as captured in these images made earlier today, one day after the 12th anniversary. The reflecting pools opened to the public two years ago (see previous post).  

In Remembrance: September 11, 2001

The red-white-and-blue lighting of the Empire State Building and the annual beams of light that mark roughly where the twin towers once stood called "Tribute in Light" are two of the most prominent visual memorial to those who were lost on September 11, 2001. The lights go on at sunset on September 11 and will go off at dawn on September 12. We will never forget.

September 11, 2010 "Tribute In Light"

The searchlights are installed on the roof of the Battery Park Parking Garage, two blocks from the World Trade Center site.

Tribute in Light - Assembling the Lights from MAS on Vimeo.

Tribute In Light is an art installation of 88 searchlights placed next to the World Trade Center site to create two vertical columns of light in memory of those who lost their lives  on September 11, and to symbolize the spirit of New York City. The beams of light also evoke the twin towers that were destroyed during the terrorist attacks. It initially ran as a temporary installation from March 11 to April 14, 2002, and was launched again in 2003 to mark the second anniversary of the attack. As of 2010, it has been repeated every year on September 11. The creative team behind the tribute consists of architects John Bennett and Gustavo Bonevardi, artists Julian LaVerdiere and Paul Myoda, architect Richard nash Gould, and lighting designer Paul Marantz. 

Tribute World Trade Center Visitor Center: Experiencing the Stories of September 11

Facade of the Tribute WTC Visitor Center with a reflection of construction cranes at Ground zero

Recovered airplane window

Steel beam of the World Trade Center

Stokes basket used to carry recovered bodies

Metal composite and glass recovered from the WTC site

Schist rock

Tiles project

Origami crane from Japan, a symbol of peace and healing

Last weekend, I visited the Tribute WTC Visitor Center across from the World Trade Center site for the first time. The visitor center features galleries that convey the unforgettable tragedy, and the passionate response of people from around the world. Above are just some of the images that I took of the artifacts recovered from the WTC site.

From the Tribute WTC Visitor Center website:

The Tribute WTC Visitor Center embodies the need to gather at the World Trade Center site, connect with the people, places and events of February 26, 1993 and September 11, 2001, and reflect. Tribute WTC Visitor Center is a project of the September 11th Families' Association, a 501(C)3 non-profit corporation. The Tribute WTC Visitor Center expands upon the September 11th Families’ Association mission to unite and support victims of terrorism by incorporating the entire 9/11 community – families, survivors, residents, rescue workers and volunteers affected by 9/11/01. The Center creates a central place for information about 9/11 at the WTC site. Visitors learn factual information about the events on September 11th, the identity of 2,973 people killed in the attacks, the unprecedented rescue and recovery operations and the tremendous spirit of support and generosity that arose after the attacks.

Program components provide sensitive reception and hospitality to men, women and children from all over the world who will receive guidance, friendship, and the opportunity to carry with them a significant memory for the rest of their lives. The educational program depicts to visitors a core curriculum through the gallery space, lectures, multimedia displays and guided walks around the World Trade Center site. The Tribute WTC Center is working in collaboration with the National September 11th Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center to evaluate visitation.

The Tribute Center serves to welcome over 300,000 visitors to Lower Manhattan annually. Currently, there is no where for them to learn constructively or to seek information about September 11, 2001 in proximity to the WTC site. The Tribute Center offers 6,000 square feet of exhibit and educational meeting space for visitors in one of downtown’s historic buildings at 120 Liberty Street. The Tribute WTC Center is located next to FDNY firehouse 10/10 and across from the World Trade Center site.