Ground Zero Contradiction
The site of the 9/11 attack is an amazing place that should be visited by everyone, American or not. It combines disaster, loss, bravery, and recovery. It tells us we are vulnerable but that we can recover from whatever comes our way.
Most memorials to horrible events have a built in contradiction: a beautiful place to remember something awful. This can make it very difficult for visitors to get in the right frame of mind, if there is a right frame of mind for such a place. The World Trade Center complex takes this contradiction to an extreme. There is the Memorial: beautiful pools that represent the base of each of the Twin Towers; the Museum: underground display of the searing reality of both the 1993 bombing and the 2001 attack; the Freedom Tower that represents the resiliency of New York City and of the whole country; the World Trade Center Transportation Hub which is an unusual (maybe beautiful, maybe strange) structure under construction- it remains to be seen how this will fit the site, but at first glance it seems to be a contradiction to what occurred here.
The goal of this 75 image photo essay is to document the essence of this place- both the physical site and the response of visitors.
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9/11 Memorial
9/11 Memorial
The 9/11 Memorial is a ground level park with an identical square pool for each of the Twin Towers. Water flows down the steep sides to the base and then into a square opening in the center.
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Serene: The beauty of these pools and the sound of the water provide an atmosphere for reflection, while at the same time belies the unimaginable events of September 11th- the contradiction... Note the crowd surrounding the pool on this warm summer afternoon... This is the North Tower, first to be hit- second to fall.
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Serene: The beauty of these pools and the sound of the water provide an atmosphere for reflection, while at the same time belies the unimaginable events of September 11th- the contradiction... Note the crowd surrounding the pool on this warm summer afternoon... This is the North Tower, first to be hit- second to fall.
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Endless: Long streams of water flow into the abyss.
Endless: Long streams of water flow into the abyss.
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Reminder to Look Up: It's easy to look down at the these pools and forget that what happened was just overhead. The reflection of Freedom Tower in the flowing water is a good reminder to look up and imagine the horror.
Reminder to Look Up: It's easy to look down at the these pools and forget that what happened was just overhead. The reflection of Freedom Tower in the flowing water is a good reminder to look up and imagine the horror.
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Names of the Lost: Surrounding each pool is a waist-high ledge inscribed with the names of all those who were lost. In the midst of this beauty it's easy to forget that each name represents a life that ended horribly at the hands of terrorists- Susan, Linda, Howard...
Names of the Lost: Surrounding each pool is a waist-high ledge inscribed with the names of all those who were lost. In the midst of this beauty it's easy to forget that each name represents a life that ended horribly at the hands of terrorists- Susan, Linda, Howard...
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Night Magic: As dusk brings the eerie change from day to night, lights illuminate both water and names; then oranges and blues turn black, and New York sparkles... This is the South Tower, second to be hit- first to fall.
Night Magic: As dusk brings the eerie change from day to night, lights illuminate both water and names; then oranges and blues turn black, and New York sparkles... This is the South Tower, second to be hit- first to fall.
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People at the 9/11 Memorial
Depending on the time of day, the Memorial can be mobbed or sparse. It's hard to know what's in people's minds as they view these pools. But their outward actions range from frolic to deep reflection. This is to be expected given the inherent contradiction in the Memorial. There are selfies, portraits, contemplation, and reflection- each person makes up their own story.
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Contradiction: Selfie and family portrait contrast contemplation and reflection.
Contradiction: Selfie and family portrait contrast contemplation and reflection.
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Contradiction: Memorial flower and portrait.
Contradiction: Memorial flower and portrait.
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Still Searching: Security officer sees these names every day.
Still Searching: Security officer sees these names every day.
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Touching Names Makes it Real
Touching Names Makes it Real
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Names
Names
It's easy to get caught up in the soothing rush of water, but focusing on the almost 3000 people makes this a surreal experience. It's hard to get your head around the fact that most of them died on the same day.
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Tears: Even the flowers weep.
Tears: Even the flowers weep.
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Father Mychal Judge, FDNY Chaplain
Father Mychal Judge, FDNY Chaplain
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9/11 Museum
9/11 Museum
The waiting line for entry is reminiscent of
any attraction- people talking and laughing with family and friends-
but this mood changes once inside. The 9/11 Museum is truly spectacular in its ability to bring visitors into the events of the attack. There are no contradictions in the 9/11 Museum.
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Imagery- Tridents and Crosses: The initial escalator descent passes two columns- iconic symbols of the Towers. Freedom Tower stands guard just outside.
Imagery- Tridents and Crosses: The initial escalator descent passes two columns- iconic symbols of the Towers. Freedom Tower stands guard just outside.
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Reality Sets In: Eerie light and gradual descent into the hell of 9/11 transforms the mood- arms crossed, hands in pockets, covered mouths. A chill in the air adds to the ominous feeling... The shadow on the man's shirt looks like one of the Towers.
Reality Sets In: Eerie light and gradual descent into the hell of 9/11 transforms the mood- arms crossed, hands in pockets, covered mouths. A chill in the air adds to the ominous feeling... The shadow on the man's shirt looks like one of the Towers.
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Flight Paths and Crashes: North Tower, 8:46; South Tower, 9:03; Pentagon, 9:37; Shanksville, 10:03.
Flight Paths and Crashes: North Tower, 8:46; South Tower, 9:03; Pentagon, 9:37; Shanksville, 10:03.
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Looking for Family in the Immediate Aftermath
Looking for Family in the Immediate Aftermath
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Standing at the 1993 Bombing Site: By this point in the Museum, visitors can no longer separate themselves from the attacks.
Standing at the 1993 Bombing Site: By this point in the Museum, visitors can no longer separate themselves from the attacks.
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Slurry Wall and Last Column: After the second decent, visitors come to a barrier overlooking the final level in the Museum. To the left is the Slurry Wall, and far below is the Last Column.
Slurry Wall and Last Column: After the second decent, visitors come to a barrier overlooking the final level in the Museum. To the left is the Slurry Wall, and far below is the Last Column.
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Survivors' Staircase: On the decent to the lowest level, visitors parallel the so-called Survivors' Staircase- outdoor stairs that connected the World Trade Center's plaza to Vesey Street. It served as an escape route for hundreds of people from 5 World Trade Center, a 9-floor building adjacent to the Twin Towers.
Survivors' Staircase: On the decent to the lowest level, visitors parallel the so-called Survivors' Staircase- outdoor stairs that connected the World Trade Center's plaza to Vesey Street. It served as an escape route for hundreds of people from 5 World Trade Center, a 9-floor building adjacent to the Twin Towers.
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Images from The Last Column
Images from The Last Column
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Father Judge
Father Judge
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Twisted Metal: Bent column and metal spaghetti torn out of a massive elevator motor.
Twisted Metal: Bent column and metal spaghetti torn out of a massive elevator motor.
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Ladder Company 3: Fire engine crushed during the collapse.
Ladder Company 3: Fire engine crushed during the collapse.
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Beyond Recognition: The front of the fire engine.
Beyond Recognition: The front of the fire engine.
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Column Remnants
Column Remnants
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Color of the 9/11 Sky
Color of the 9/11 Sky
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Controversial Burial
Controversial Burial
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The Museum has three sections. Only Foundation Hall allows photography.
The Historical and Memorial Exhibitions are intense portrayals of the events leading up to and after the attack, and of the people who were lost. While these couldn't be photographed for this essay, one young visitor expressed what most people must feel after seeing these exhibits- Let me crawl up into a ball, close my eyes, and pray this was just a bad dream.
The Museum has three sections. Only Foundation Hall allows photography.
The Historical and Memorial Exhibitions are intense portrayals of the events leading up to and after the attack, and of the people who were lost. While these couldn't be photographed for this essay, one young visitor expressed what most people must feel after seeing these exhibits- Let me crawl up into a ball, close my eyes, and pray this was just a bad dream.
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Freedom Tower
Freedom Tower
One World Trade Center, or Freedom Tower, is a stunning structure composed of eight alternating triangles. At the height where the triangles are equal in width, the frame is a perfect octagon. At 1776 feet tall, it's the new guardian of lower Manhattan. Almost anywhere you go, it's just over your shoulder.
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World Trade Center Transportation Hub
Taking Shape: Sunset reflection in the Museum window. Time will tell how it fits.
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Ten House
Ten House
First responders were the heroes of 9/11. The icon for first responders is "FDNY Ten House" (Ladder Co. 10, Engine Co. 10), the firehouse located across the street from the World Trade Center. They were the first of the first responders, losing six of their members. Everyone who visits the World Trade Center pays their respect to Ten House.
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Still Standing: 10'-10" tall!!
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Ground Zero Contradiction- Final Thought
Ground Zero Contradiction- Final Thought
A pamphlet held on precariously at the edge of the South Tower waterfall. It couldn't be identified until a gust of wind lifted its corner. Maybe this is a subtle reminder that no matter what, this place is a memorial to something we hope will never happen again!
