Two towering pillars of light will beam into the New York sky tonight near the former site of the World Trade Center to honor the thousands of people who died in the terrorist attacks six months ago.
On a clear night, the display, called "Tribute of Light," will be visible for 20 miles, reaching all five boroughs of New York City and parts of the tri-state area.
Though the display will not be visible from the University, which is 50 miles southwest, included in the thousands being remembered are 13 University alumni.
On Sept. 11, many University students were particularly affected because of Princeton's proximity to New York City. Rising smoke from Ground Zero was visible from several on-campus vantage points on Sept. 11.
In addition, several students had family and friends who lived and worked in or near the Trade Center.
"There's nothing we can do to bring back those we lost, but we have to make sure we have a way to remember," New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said.
The display, which will be turned on at 11 p.m. each evening if weather conditions are fair, was created with 88 Xenon lamps, each producing 7,000 watts of power, memorial designers said. It will remain on each evening until April 13.
Team design effort
A team of six artists, architects and designers — John Bennert, Gustavo Bonevardi GS '86, Richard Nash Gould, Julian Laverdiere, Paul Marantz and Paul Myoda — worked with the Municipal Art Society of New York to bring the idea to life. It is being funded by contributions from corporations and individuals.
The project is a "coming together that reflects the spirit of the city," Art Society chairman Phillip Howard said.
The lighting designers said the display would be a new form of memorial whose ultimate form and function might not be known for some time.
"We think it's unique," Marantz said to a news conference Wednesday. Each night may bring a different image because of atmospheric conditions, he said.
"The idea of light in our culture and in our history equals life, equals spirit, equals love and most especially equals regeneration and has such a great poetic value for us," he said.
The memorial is temporary, designers said. In addition to the beams of light, a sculpture memorial, called "The Sphere," will be placed in Battery Park, near the former site of World Trade Center, this morning. The sculpture was previously in the World Trade Center. During the collapse, the sphere was damaged but not destroyed.
City officials and civic leaders are considering options for a more permanent memorial.
The University also has proposed a memorial for Princeton-ians who died in the disaster. It plans to create a garden beside the new humanities center in East Pyne near Nassau Hall.
Because East Pyne is undergoing renovations, the garden will not likely be completed for another 18 months, University administrators said.
Read More
Five percent of Class of 2029 identify as Black or African-American, lowest since 1968
Sena ChangIn the Class of 2029, 5 percent of students identified as Black or African American — the lowest share in many years, compared to the roughly seven to nine percent range in the past two decades.
In the Class of 2029, 5 percent of students identified as Black or African American — the lowest share in many years, compared to the roughly seven to nine percent range in the past two decades.
‘Fast and powerful in the water, steady and sure on land’: Friends and family remember Kerry Grundlingh ’27
Hayk YengibaryanKerry Grundlingh ’27 was 21 when she died on July 26 following a cycling accident in her hometown of Johannesburg, South Africa.
Kerry Grundlingh ’27 was 21 when she died on July 26 following a cycling accident in her hometown of Johannesburg, South Africa.
Princeton Town Council discusses graffiti at Jewish Center and affordable housing
Leela HenslerTown Council addresses recent reports of antisemitic graffiti in public spaces, discusses an ordinance to expand affordable housing, and proposals from local youth to lower the voting age for school board elections.
Town Council addresses recent reports of antisemitic graffiti in public spaces, discusses an ordinance to expand affordable housing, and proposals from local youth to lower the voting age for school board elections.