September 11, 2011—an ongoing Remembrance

“9/11”

This is a sculpture I started in September of 2001 after the tragedies.   It began small, with a stick teepee, and gradually expanded with items Deb and I would find picking up litter as we go along the road around the Reservoir during our daily morning walks.   I added pieces that seemed fitting, that could be found in the wreckage of a tragedy  that left behind people’s belongings and keepsakes.  We’ve added some things from the house too that seemed right.  This is a work in progress.

Deb and I visited Ground Zero almost exactly 2 years ago today (9/ 12 or 13, I think).  Even though much evidence of the wreckage had been replaced by construction, the sadness and intensity was strong. And TV does not do justice to the size of the footprint.   We also visited Trinity Church just down the block—one of the oldest, or maybe the oldest, church in NYC that was almost destroyed.  Then we went down to Battery park.  It was all extremely moving, as was our visit to the Pentagon last year.  A fascinating building with a fascinating history, which was bombed exactly 60 years after construction was completed and dedicated on Sept. 11, 1941.  There is a room, a remembrance room, that has been created in the area where the destruction occured.  Remembrances and some background of the people who died that day are  there and it’s a very low key and healing space.  The memory park outside is also very inspiring.  We hope one day to get to Shanksville.   I hope that our country can move forward to a more positive spirit and use this sadness to really reunite.  We were both very mournful watching the coverage on TV this morning.  They did a pretty good job. Here’s to life…

Peace out, Greg