The Tribute in Light is an art installation and memorial in New York City that commemorates the September 11 attacks. It consists of 88 searchlights arranged into two columns of light, echoing the shape and orientation of the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center. The beams project four miles into the sky and are visible for approximately 60 miles on a clear night.
[[File:Tribute in Light, 2011.jpg|thumb|right|300px|The Tribute in Light shining on September 11, 2011.]]
History and Conception
The idea for a temporary memorial came from a partnership between the Municipal Art Society of New York and the NYC Creative Alliance. Artists Julian LaVerdiere and Paul Myoda, who had witnessed the collapse of the towers, were developing a light memorial project and collaborated with architects John Stone and Gustavo Bonevardi. Their initial concept was to project images of the towers onto the clouds.The final design, conceived by artists Julian LaVerdiere, Paul Myoda, and Richard Nash Gould, along with lighting designer John Stone and architect Gustavo Bonevardi, evolved into the twin beams of light. The project was initially funded and organized by the Municipal Art Society of New York and supported by former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
The first installation of the Tribute in Light ran for 32 nights, from March 11 to April 14, 2002, marking six months after the attacks. Following its initial success and profound public impact, it was decided to make it an annual event. Since 2008, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum has organized and produced the installation.
Description and Operation
The installation features 88 custom-designed 7,000-watt xenon light fixtures, each approximately 48 inches (120 cm) in diameter. These fixtures are housed in two 24-foot (7.3 m) squares on a parking garage roof adjacent to the World Trade Center site, specifically in Battery Park City, Manhattan. Forty-four lights comprise each square, forming the distinct twin beams.The lights are switched on annually on September 11, at dusk, and remain lit until dawn on September 12. The precise timing coincides with the moments the planes struck the Twin Towers, and the towers subsequently collapsed.
Symbolism and Impact
The Tribute in Light serves as a powerful symbol of remembrance, grief, and resilience.- Remembrance: The two columns of light directly evoke the absent Twin Towers, offering a poignant visual memorial to the nearly 3,000 victims of the 9/11 attacks.
- Hope and Resilience: While marking a tragic loss, the upward-reaching beams are also interpreted by many as a symbol of hope, strength, and the enduring spirit of New York City and the nation.
- Collective Healing: The visibility of the light from many miles away creates a shared experience, allowing people from across the metropolitan area and beyond to participate in the act of remembrance.
Environmental Considerations
The powerful beams of light sometimes attract and disorient migratory birds. To mitigate this, ornithologists and volunteers monitor the installation. If a significant number of birds are observed circling within the light beams, the lights are temporarily shut off for 20-minute intervals to allow the birds to disperse. This protocol, developed in partnership with the National Audubon Society, has proven effective in minimizing avian impacts.Cultural Significance
The Tribute in Light has become an iconic part of the annual 9/11 commemoration. It has been featured in numerous documentaries, news reports, and artistic depictions, solidifying its place as a globally recognized symbol of the September 11 attacks and their aftermath.See Also
- National September 11 Memorial & Museum
- One World Trade Center
- List of public art in New York City
- Light art
External Links
- [https://www.911memorial.org/visit/tribute-light Official 9/11 Memorial & Museum page on Tribute in Light]
- [https://www.municipalart.org/projects/tribute-in-light Municipal Art Society of New York on Tribute in Light]