Tribute in Light

Tribute in Light
Name	Tribute in Light
Location	New York City, United States
Designer	John Bennett, Gustavo Bonevardi, Richard Nash Gould, Julian LaVerdiere, Paul Marantz, Paul Myoda
Type	Memorial
Dedicated to	September 11 attacks
Opened	2002

Tribute in Light is a memorial installation that commemorates the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City. The installation was designed by John Bennett, Gustavo Bonevardi, Richard Nash Gould, Julian LaVerdiere, Paul Marantz, and Paul Myoda, in collaboration with the Municipal Art Society and the Creative Time organization. The memorial features 88 Xenon searchlights that project two beams of light into the sky, symbolizing the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center. The installation is typically displayed on the evening of September 11 every year, and has become an iconic part of the New York City skyline, visible from locations such as the Empire State Building, Central Park, and the Brooklyn Bridge.

Introduction

The concept of the Tribute in Light memorial was first proposed by Gustavo Bonevardi and Julian LaVerdiere in 2001, just weeks after the September 11 attacks. The idea was to create a temporary memorial that would honor the victims of the attacks and provide a sense of hope and healing for the people of New York City. The memorial was first displayed on March 11, 2002, and was originally intended to be a one-time event. However, due to its popularity and emotional impact, it has been displayed annually on the evening of September 11 since 2002, with support from organizations such as the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. The memorial has been viewed by millions of people, including Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, and Rudolph Giuliani, from locations such as the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, and the High Line.

History

The Tribute in Light memorial has a rich history, dating back to the early days after the September 11 attacks. The idea for the memorial was inspired by the Candlelight Vigil held on the evening of September 11, 2001, which was organized by the New York City Mayor's Office and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The vigil featured thousands of candles lit in memory of the victims, and was attended by George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, and other dignitaries. The success of the vigil led to the development of the Tribute in Light concept, which was further influenced by the Twin Towers memorial service held at Yankee Stadium on September 23, 2001. The service featured performances by Paul McCartney, Billy Joel, and Elton John, and was attended by Rudy Giuliani, George Pataki, and other notable figures. The memorial has since become an annual tradition, with support from organizations such as the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and the New York City Fire Department.

Design_and_Construction

The design of the Tribute in Light memorial was a collaborative effort between the designers and engineers, including John Bennett, Gustavo Bonevardi, and Julian LaVerdiere. The memorial features 88 Xenon searchlights, each with a power of 7,000 watts, which are arranged in a grid pattern on the roof of the Battery Parking Garage in Lower Manhattan. The searchlights are powered by a series of generators and are controlled by a computer system that ensures the beams are precisely aligned and adjusted to compensate for wind and weather conditions. The memorial was constructed with the help of volunteers from organizations such as the New York City Department of Sanitation, the New York City Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The construction process involved the use of specialized equipment, including cranes and cherry pickers, and was completed in just a few weeks. The memorial has been maintained and updated over the years, with support from organizations such as the National Park Service, the New York City Department of Transportation, and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

Display_and_Operation

The Tribute in Light memorial is typically displayed on the evening of September 11 every year, and is visible from locations throughout New York City and New Jersey. The memorial is operated by a team of technicians and engineers, who ensure that the searchlights are properly aligned and adjusted to compensate for wind and weather conditions. The memorial is usually turned on at sunset and remains on until dawn the next morning, and is accompanied by a series of events and ceremonies, including the Tribute in Light ceremony at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. The ceremony features performances by musicians such as Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, and Alicia Keys, and is attended by dignitaries such as Joe Biden, Mike Bloomberg, and Michael Bloomberg. The memorial has also been displayed on other occasions, such as the 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks in 2011, and has been viewed by millions of people from locations such as the Empire State Building, Central Park, and the Brooklyn Bridge.

Significance_and_Reception

The Tribute in Light memorial has become an iconic part of the New York City skyline and a powerful symbol of hope and resilience. The memorial has been widely praised for its beauty and emotional impact, and has been recognized as one of the most important and influential memorials of the 21st century. The memorial has also been the subject of numerous photography and art exhibitions, including the Museum of Modern Art exhibition "The Tribute in Light: A Memorial to the September 11 attacks". The memorial has been visited by millions of people, including Pope Francis, Nelson Mandela, and Elie Wiesel, and has been featured in numerous films and television shows, including The Sopranos, Law & Order, and Saturday Night Live. The memorial has also been recognized with numerous awards and honors, including the National Design Award and the American Institute of Architects Honor Award.

Technical_Specifications

The Tribute in Light memorial features 88 Xenon searchlights, each with a power of 7,000 watts. The searchlights are arranged in a grid pattern on the roof of the Battery Parking Garage in Lower Manhattan, and are powered by a series of generators. The memorial is controlled by a computer system that ensures the beams are precisely aligned and adjusted to compensate for wind and weather conditions. The memorial is typically displayed on the evening of September 11 every year, and is visible from locations throughout New York City and New Jersey. The memorial has been maintained and updated over the years, with support from organizations such as the National Park Service, the New York City Department of Transportation, and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The memorial has also been recognized for its sustainability and energy efficiency, and has been featured in numerous publications and exhibitions on green design and sustainable architecture.

Category:Memorials