Posted by Jan Orfe on October 17, 2003 at 11:40:48:In Reply to: How did your WTC Memorial Turn Out? posted by Mark R B on June 28, 2003 at 19:27:16:
What if YOU were judging this memorial competition? Pretend for a moment that you ARE one of those 13 jurors. And let's assume you took the necessary time it HAS taken to view all 5,200 design concepts. Let's also assume you were able to set aside any bias that would compromise the selection process. And we'll put the number of finalists at a favorable 10. (It could be more or less, but 10 sounds about right.) Keep in mind that public opinion will also play an important role. In fact, I'll be more than curious myself, since I was one of those 5,200 competitors who put my trust in your capable hands. So my question is: Out of those 10 finalists, what memorial vision do you think best commemorates the true meaning of 9/11? But wait.I'm going to lastly assume that those 10 concepts are clearly distinct from each other in their layout and symbolic content, to put on record the extreme difficulty in arriving at a unanimous decision, though secretly, I'm almost certain you favor one concept above the remaining 9. How could you NOT come across at least ONE (out of 5,200!) that most fittingly fulfilled the Memorial Mission Statement and Program? Obviously, you wouldn't settle on second best.
So here's my follow-up question: What
exactly is it you believe this memorial
SHOULD commemorate? I know, there is no single answer to such a worthy mission so frought with high expectation and raw emotion. Perhaps it would help if I turned your attention to the opening page of the Guideline booklet:
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"Memorials serve so many essential functions: they give us a context for remembering the past, engaging the present, and reflecting on the future.
We are seeking to honor the lives lost
in the attacks of 9/11 on New York City - and on Wasington, DC and the flight that ended in Shanksville, PA - as well as during the attack on the World Trade Center on February 26, 1993. We also need to commemorate the resilience as well as the grieving of survivors, co-workers, neighbors, and citizens profoundly affected. The values of liberty and democracy transcend geography and nationality, and they must be given physical expression as we reimagine
Lower Manhattan."
----------------
Were we supposed to read between the lines of that comprehensive opening statement? And redefine the PURPOSE of this particular memorial? Because if so,
I will be exceedingly disappointed to find out that the winning design failed
to fully and convincingly convey the historical significance of what our nation suffered on 9/11.Because if the attack upon the United States of America - unequivocally, an attack upon FREEDOM itself - is NOT esteemed to be the pit's preeminent symbolic message for now and for future generations, then you, as a member of my pretend jury have likewise fallen short of your mission. Now is not the time to be timid. The princples of freedom and ideals of democracy "must be given physical expression". If that sounds too
patriotic and ideological for you to handle, then I guess we will all have to settle for second best.
Orfe
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